ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, expanding trade and investment, and advancing cooperation in energy, critical minerals, digitalization, and transport during meetings between Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Samarkand on Oct. 19.
Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi meets with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Samarkand on Oct. 19. Photo credit: Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
Kazakhstan-US talks focus on trade and investment
Tileuberdi and Rubio discussed prospects for developing the enhanced strategic partnership, emphasizing stronger trade, economic and investment cooperation, the ministry’s press service reported.
The officials noted the positive momentum in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their mutual interest in expanding practical cooperation, increasing trade turnover and implementing joint investment projects.
They focused on implementing agreements reached at the highest level, including those resulting from the meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and US President Donald Trump in November 2025.
Tileuberdi emphasized the importance of strengthening business ties, attracting U.S. investment and advanced technologies and developing cooperation in energy, critical minerals, digitalization and transport and logistics.
Tileuberdi and Rubio also exchanged views on preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit in Miami. Rubio confirmed his interest in visiting Kazakhstan soon after the summit.
C5+1 meeting advances regional cooperation
Tileuberdi also joined the C5+1 Ministerial Meeting with Rubio and the heads of foreign ministries of the Central Asian states.
Participants discussed expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation; strengthening regional connectivity; and implementing joint initiatives to ensure sustainable economic growth.
Tileuberdi noted Kazakhstan’s and the United States’ historic role in establishing the C5+1 format, which has proven an effective platform for developing regional cooperation. He highlighted the importance of expanding trade, developing transport and logistics infrastructure, and diversifying supply chains.
Participants also considered prospects for implementing joint projects in critical minerals, energy, digitalization and innovation.
Following the meeting, the parties adopted a joint statement reflecting their readiness to strengthen long-term, mutually beneficial partnership and implement the agreements reached.
