Tokayev, EU Leaders Hold Talks in Brussels, Adopt Joint Statement
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on June 23, focusing on strengthening Kazakhstan-EU strategic partnership in trade, investment, transport connectivity, and energy cooperation. The meeting covered key areas including critical raw materials, transport and logistics, digital transformation, energy cooperation, and…
Kazakhstan Strengthens Scientific and Innovation Ties with European Union
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and the European Union signed a package of agreements on science, innovation, artificial intelligence, and higher education on June 23 during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Belgium. As part of the visit, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek met with Maria Cristina Russo, European Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Research…
Tokayev, Belgian PM Pledge Closer Cooperation Across Key Sectors
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever discussed expanding trade, investment, and strategic cooperation during talks in Brussels on June 23, with a focus on transport and logistics, critical minerals, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and other key sectors. Calling Belgium one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in the European Union, Tokayev noted…
Kazakhstan, Belgium Target Deeper Cooperation in Strategic Sectors, Connectivity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Belgium have agreed to strengthen cooperation in strategic industries, transport connectivity, education and innovation following talks between Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot on June 23 during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Brussels. The officials discussed opportunities to deepen political dialogue,…
EBRD Backs Key Road Upgrade to Strengthen Middle Corridor
ASTANA — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to 230 million euros (US$262.3 million) in Japanese yen equivalent to help complete the modernization of a key road section in western Kazakhstan, supporting the development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, the EU’s Global Gateway flagship initiative. The financing will…
Kazakhstan, China Pledge Deeper Trade and Connectivity Cooperation
ASTANA – Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Chinese Premier Li Qiang discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, transport, and agriculture during talks in China, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The officials reviewed the implementation of agreements reached by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President Xi Jinping and…
Kazakhstan Highlights Strategic Role of Middle Corridor in EU Cooperation
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov took part in a business conference on June 22, held as part of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Brussels, focused on strengthening connectivity between Kazakhstan and the European Union through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the Middle Corridor. Issetov described the Middle Corridor as a key…
Tokayev Meets Costa, Engages with Kazakh Community Ahead of Key EU Talks in Brussels
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held an informal meeting with European Council President António Costa and met with Kazakh citizens studying and working in Belgium during his official visit to Brussels on June 22 ahead of talks with European Union leaders on strengthening Kazakhstan-EU cooperation. Addressing students and professionals, Tokayev congratulated them on the adoption…
Curtains Up: Kazakh Theaters Draw 2.8 Million Spectators as Attendance Rises Nationwide
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s state theaters attracted more than 2.8 million spectators and staged around 16,000 performances since the start of the current season, reflecting growing public interest in the performing arts and continued expansion of the country’s cultural sector. The country’s 59 state theaters, which employ more than 8,100 people, presented 410 new productions during…
News Digest: Foreign Media on Middle Corridor, Kazakhstan-Spain Ties, and More
ASTANA – The Astana Times has curated a selection of articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s foreign media digest highlights the Middle Corridor’s growing role, Kazakhstan’s expanding ties with Spain, the region’s critical minerals potential, and more. Kazakhstan’s skies welcome Central Asia’s first Paragliding World Cup Around 150 pilots from 33 countries…
Kazakhstan, Montenegro Seek Stronger Economic and Political Ties During Historic Visit
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Montenegro agreed to deepen political dialogue and broaden cooperation in trade, transport, logistics, tourism, education, and innovation during Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović’s first official visit to Kazakhstan, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations. During talks on June 19, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Montenegro as a reliable partner in…
Central Asia’s External Debt Rises 34.9% in Five Years, Kazakhstan Holds Largest Share
ASTANA – External debt of Central Asian countries excluding Turkmenistan increased by 34.9% over the past five years, reaching nearly $290.8 billion in 2025, according to data from the CIS Statistical Committee and the Eurasian Economic Commission. Kazakhstan accounts for the largest share of regional debt, while Uzbekistan recorded the fastest growth over the same…
Kazakhstan Considers Grain and Container Terminal at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee Port
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is considering the construction of a grain terminal or container handling facilities on a 15-hectare plot allocated by Iran at the strategic Shahid Rajaee port near the Strait of Hormuz, said Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin on the sidelines of the Senate on June 18. Iran remains a key transit gateway…
Kazakhstan Rises to 44th in Global Peace Index 2026
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has improved its position in the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026, ranking 44th out of 163 countries, up five places from last year, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Published by the IEP, the index assesses countries based on 23 indicators, including levels of crime, internal conflict, public safety,…
Kazakhstan Citizens Send Less Money Abroad as Cross-Border Transfers Decline
ASTANA – Cross-border money transfers from Kazakhstan declined in January-April, extending a downward trend in outbound remittances. Residents transferred 184.4 billion tenge (US$377.9 million) abroad during the first four months of the year, down from 190.5 billion tenge (US$390.4 million) a year earlier. Incoming transfers also decreased, falling to 63.1 billion tenge (US$129.3 million) from…
Kazakhstan’s Fixed Capital Investment Rises 7% in January-May
ASTANA – Investment in fixed capital in Kazakhstan reached 6.74 trillion tenge (US$13.8 billion) in January-May, up 7% year-on-year in real terms, driven by industrial and construction projects as well as strong private-sector activity. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, small businesses accounted for the largest share of investment at 3.74 trillion tenge (US$7.6…
Olympic Champion Mikhail Shaidorov to Launch Grand Prix Season in France
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s figure skaters Mikhail Shaidorov and Sofia Samodelkina have been assigned their events for the 2026/27 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix series and will compete for a place in the Grand Prix Final in Chongqing, China. The International Skating Union (ISU) has released the schedule for the 2026/27 Grand Prix season on June…
Kazakhstan Secures Preferential Financing from IBRD and AIIB for Economic Priorities
ASTANA – Kazakhstan plans to attract 154.7 billion Japanese yen (US$965.4 million) in concessional loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to support priority government measures and key areas of economic development, as the Mazhilis, a lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament, approved relevant ratification…
Jiangsu Center Opens in Astana to Boost Trade, Investment
ASTANA – The Jiangsu Provincial Center in Central Asia was opened in the Kazakh capital on June 16, marking a new stage in strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. The center is expected to serve as a unified platform for supporting Chinese companies operating in the region, offering consulting services, facilitating…
Kazakhstan, Spain Reaffirm Strategic Partnership, Eye Economic Cooperation
ASTANA – Kazakhstan and Spain reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and expanding economic cooperation during the eighth round of political consultations on June 16, led by Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov and Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belío. The officials reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations,…
IMF Sees Kazakhstan’s Economy Growing 4.6% in 2026 Despite Inflation Risks
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s economy is projected to grow by around 4.6% this year, supported by high oil prices, strong domestic demand, and investment inflows, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said following a June 3-12 mission to the country. The IMF noted that growth moderated to 3.7% in January-May due to lower oil production following a…
Kazakhstan Weighs Under-16 Social Media Ban as Concerns Over Teen Mental Health Grow
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is considering banning children under 16 from registering on social media platforms as authorities seek to address growing concerns about cyberbullying, harmful content and the impact of excessive screen time on adolescents’ mental health. The Ministry of Culture and Information has developed draft amendments to legislation concerning online platforms and mass media,…
Kazakhstan to Host High-Level Visits from Germany, Spain, and Poland This Month
ASTANA — Kazakhstan will receive senior officials from Germany, Spain, and Poland this month for high-level talks aimed at strengthening political dialogue, economic cooperation, and inter-parliamentary ties, said Yerlan Zhetybayev, spokesperson of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry during a June 15 press briefing. On June 16, Kazakhstan will hold the eighth round of political consultations with Spain,…
Almaty Hosts EU-Central Asia Meeting on Afghanistan Cooperation
ASTANA — Envoys from the European Union, Central Asian countries, and the United Nations met on June 15 in Almaty to coordinate approaches on Afghanistan, focusing on regional stability, connectivity, and long-term socio-economic development. The eighth meeting of the EU and Central Asian Special Representatives on Afghanistan brought together delegations from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic,…
Tokayev Welcomes US-Iran Agreement, Calls it Important Step Toward Regional Stability
ASTANA — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, describing it as highly significant for both the region and the broader international community. According to Tokayev, the agreement comes at a particularly important time amid a complex global situation. “We highly appreciate the political will of the parties, which…
