President Tokayev’s official visit to Turkey: New stage in strategic partnership
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
On July 29, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to pay an official visit to Turkey at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, BAQ.KZ reports.
The last official meeting between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Turkey took place in Turkey in 2022. According to political analyst Zhanat Momynkulov, the upcoming visit could contribute not only to strengthening bilateral cooperation but also to deepening engagement within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
Based on the historical, cultural, and strategic ties between the two countries, this visit could bring new partnership initiatives to the agenda that may impact regional balance.
Following the recent crisis surrounding Northern Cyprus, Turkish experts were seen increasingly tense relations toward their brotherly nations in Central Asia. Therefore, Kazakh diplomacy must make serious efforts to preserve unity among Turkic states.
“Turkey’s political, military, and international influence is significant,” the analyst added.
Strategic Partnership to Deepen
Turkey is an important economic and cultural partner for Kazakhstan. The strategic partnership agreement signed in 2009 has seen rapid development in recent years, particularly in the areas of defense industry, energy, and logistics.
According to the political expert, the importance of ties with Turkey is also growing in terms of military security.
Turkey remains one of Kazakhstan’s key regional partners in ensuring geopolitical balance. During this visit, high-level discussions on strategic cooperation are expected, along with the signing of several new agreements and documents, Zhanat Momynkulov said.
Expected Outcomes
According to the expert, the two leaders are expected to discuss the following key areas of bilateral cooperation:
• Trade and Investment: In 2023, trade turnover between the two countries reached USD 5 billion and there are goals to elevate it to USD 10 billion.
• Energy and the Middle Corridor: The expansion of the Middle Corridor route — China–Kazakhstan–Azerbaijan–Turkey — will be on the agenda, considering Kazakhstan’s oil and gas resources and Turkey’s transit capabilities. The Zangezur Corridor may also be discussed.
• Defense Industry: Kazakhstan has shown interest in acquiring Turkish weaponry, particularly in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Specific negotiations in this sector are expected.
• OTS and Cultural Diplomacy: Both countries actively participate in educational, media, and cultural projects under the Organization of Turkic States. Cooperation in this field may also be further defined during the visit.
Regional Security and Geopolitical Significance
Political analyst Zhanat Momynkulov links the importance of this visit to the current regional geopolitical situation.
The growing influence of China in Central Asia, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and instability in Afghanistan provide a backdrop in which Kazakhstan and Turkey’s coordinated positions could contribute to enhancing regional security.
In particular, the recent tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan make high-level diplomatic dialogue especially important, he emphasized.
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