In a significant diplomatic meeting commemorating 33 years of bilateral ties, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met in Astana to reaffirm their nations’ commitment to deeper political, economic, and cultural cooperation. The visit reaffirmed the two countries’ longstanding friendship, which began when they established diplomatic relations in 1992.
President Tokayev emphasized the anniversary’s symbolic significance, characterizing the partnership as one based on respect for one another and expanding cooperation. During the discussions, economic cooperation was the main focus, and both leaders praised a notable increase in trade. The bilateral trade turnover in 2024 was $375.2 million, which is almost four times the amount recorded the year before, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration. Exports from Kazakhstan to Bulgaria increased by more than 11 times to $303.6.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan reported that Bulgarian investments in Kazakhstan reached $7.8 million in 2024, marking an 86.5% increase from $4.2 million in 2023.
The agreement to increase transportation and logistics cooperation was one of the visit’s most important results. Tokayev and Radev talked about incorporating Bulgaria’s vital Black Sea ports, Varna and Burgas, into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR), a vital route that connects Asia and Europe.
To advance infrastructure and policy alignment on this initiative, a joint working group will be formed under the Kazakh-Bulgarian Intergovernmental Commission. Radev described the signing of a memorandum by the presidents to expedite the corridor’s development as a crucial step in realizing both nations’ potential as Eurasian transit hubs.
President Tokayev stated interest in utilizing Bulgaria’s expertise in high-tech fields, such as space research and defense, in addition to trade and logistics.
He pointed to these areas as new frontiers in the partnership and expressed Kazakhstan’s willingness to investigate opportunities for collaboration in them.
A Bulgarian business delegation was also welcomed to Astana by the Kazakh leader, who emphasized Kazakhstan’s willingness to foster an environment that is conducive to investment. As part of the visit, officials and important businesspeople from both countries met at a bilateral business forum.
The two presidents emphasized the value of regional cooperation and education in building stronger cultural ties. Similar to a 2018 tribute in which a street in Sofia was named in honor of Astana, a street in Astana will be named after the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, as a sign of friendship.
Both leaders emphasized the value of using diplomacy to resolve disputes in the face of global geopolitical tensions. President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to fostering amicable communication and multilateral collaboration.
President Radev referred to the discussions as a “comprehensive review” of bilateral relations and emphasized that the results would provide the partnership with “new impetus.” “The opportunities for collaboration are extensive, ranging from energy to digital transformation and cultural exchange,” he stated.
The visit ended with a clear message: Kazakhstan and Bulgaria are forming a contemporary partnership that crosses continents and industries, in addition to expanding on thirty years of diplomatic ties. A common vision for stability, connectedness, and prosperity in a changing world is reflected in the renewed momentum.
