Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Partnership Discussed at Foreign Ministry
Astana, January 16, 2025 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko met with Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Kazakhstan Kathy Leach.
The parties reviewed the results of the two countries’ interaction in 2024, highlighting the meeting between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku. The discussion also focused on the schedule of upcoming events and plans to broaden cooperation, following the signature of the Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Welcoming active engagement in the political, economic and cultural spheres, as well as in science and education through the establishment of branches of UK colleges and universities in Kazakhstan, the parties expressed shared interest in supporting dynamic bilateral ties and creating new favorable opportunities for broader trade and investment cooperation.
The diplomats noted the important role of the Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Dialogue, the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation and other bilateral mechanisms in the ongoing work to further strengthen partnership. Furthermore, the parties discussed prospects of collaboration in the critical raw materials sector between Kazakhstan and the UK.
During the meeting the sides also exchanged views on regional and global affairs, including efforts to tackle climate change and protect the environment, highlighting the successful experience of the Kazakh Altyn Dala biodiversity preservation initiative that was recently awarded the Earthshot Prize.
For reference: The UK is an important trade and investment partner of Kazakhstan. During January-November 2024, bilateral trade had amounted to more than 800 million US dollars (exports – 389 million, imports – 411.9 million) and in 2023 it reached 1.18 billion US dollars (exports – 702.9 million, imports – 478.7 million). The gross inflow of investment from the UK to Kazakhstan since 2005 has amounted to over 17 billion US dollars. There are 550 enterprises with the participation of British capital working in Kazakhstan.
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