Diplomatic relations between countries continue to play a central role in the global economy, especially in strategic regions for trade, energy and transport. In recent years, several international alliances have been strengthened through political and economic agreements designed to consolidate common interests and increase regional influence.
According to , Kazakhstan and Turkey, whose capital is less than five hours by plane from Lisbon, signed last Thursday, May 14, a declaration of “eternal friendship” and strategic partnership during the official visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Kazakh capital, Astana.
The signing of the document took place at the Independence Palace, in Astana, and not at the traditional Presidential Palace, where official receptions for foreign heads of state normally take place. According to the same source, the president of Kazakhstan, Kasim-Yomart Tokayev, stated that the agreement should promote a new phase in relations between the two countries.
Tokayev also highlighted the growth of bilateral trade. Last year, trade between Türkiye and Kazakhstan increased by 8.8%, exceeding US$5.4 billion.
Commerce can grow even more
The Kazakh head of state defended the creation of new conditions to expand and diversify trade between the two countries. The news agency adds that Kazakhstan believes it has the capacity to increase exports to Turkey in dozens of economic sectors. According to the same source, the potential value of these exports could exceed 630 million dollars. Tokayev also said that business, financial and technological cooperation should gain greater dimension in the coming years.
One of the central themes of the official visit was related to the so-called Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Central Corridor. This infrastructure is seen as a strategic alternative to traditional routes passing through Russia and Iran. The corridor crosses several countries and connects China and Southeast Asia to Western Europe through railways, roads and maritime transport. The route includes both Kazakhstan and Turkey.
Erdogan talks about a new “Silk Road”
Recep Tayyip Erdogan considered that the commercial corridor is gaining increasing importance on the international scene. According to Lusa, the Turkish president described this connection as the modern equivalent of the historic Silk Road. The Turkish head of state also stated that Ankara will continue to encourage this route for the transport of energy resources destined for the West. Erdogan believes that logistical cooperation between the two countries could gain strategic relevance in the coming years.
The two presidencies also addressed other areas considered priorities. According to the same source, Erdogan stated that relations between Türkiye and Kazakhstan are strengthening in sectors such as energy, defense, trade, transport and logistics. The Turkish president also announced his intention to significantly increase the volume of bilateral trade. It should be noted that the objective is to reach 15 billion dollars in trade between the two countries.
Astana wants to attract more investment
During the meeting, Tokayev encouraged Turkish companies to participate in projects linked to the ports of Kuryk and Aktau, structures considered fundamental for increasing freight traffic in the region. According to the same source, Kazakhstan intends to take advantage of the growing international interest in the Trans-Caspian corridor to attract more foreign investment and reinforce the country’s logistical role between Asia and Europe.
This was Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second state visit to Kazakhstan, after the trip in 2022. The meeting served to consolidate a political and economic rapprochement that has been gaining expression in recent years. The signing of the declaration of “eternal friendship” represents one of the main symbols of this rapprochement and comes at a time when international trade routes and strategic alliances assume greater importance in global geopolitics.
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