Kazakhstan is placing a significant emphasis on fostering comprehensive cooperation with Türkiye and bolstering ties within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), according to Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi. Speaking ahead of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Ankara and the upcoming 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, Tileuberdi identified the integration of the Turkic world as a fundamental pillar of the country’s foreign policy.
Highlighting the current international landscape, which is defined by major geopolitical shifts, economic transformations, and rising technological competition, Tileuberdi emphasized the necessity of relations built upon mutual trust, respect for national interests, and a collective willingness to act. He noted that Kazakhstan and Türkiye share a foundation of centuries-old historical ties, spiritual affinity, and a rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
Bilateral relations have evolved into an expanded strategic partnership, spanning political dialogue, energy, trade, investment, transport, industry, digital technologies, and education. Tileuberdi stated that the primary objective at this stage is to translate established political capital into concrete economic results, including the creation of new production facilities, the generation of employment opportunities, and the development of long-term projects.
Describing Türkiye as a primary economic partner, Tileuberdi reported that bilateral trade volume surged by 66.5 percent during the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling $5.66 billion. Within this timeframe, Kazakhstan’s exports to Türkiye nearly doubled, reaching $4.75 billion. To sustain this growth, the minister stressed the need to diversify products, eliminate non-tariff barriers, and streamline trade procedures.
Investment cooperation is also expanding, with Turkish investments in Kazakhstan exceeding $6 billion, while Kazakh investments in Türkiye have surpassed $2.5 billion. Currently, more than 100 joint projects have been implemented in Kazakhstan, with over 50 others underway and 70 more in negotiations. The presence of over 4,000 companies with Turkish capital in Kazakhstan serves as a testament to investor confidence. The government remains committed to supporting these investors by protecting their rights and ensuring a predictable, long-term business environment throughout the project lifecycle.
Looking toward the upcoming summit in Ankara, Tileuberdi expressed that Kazakhstan views the event from a broad perspective. He expects the summit to not only reaffirm the collective determination to deepen cooperation but also to serve as a platform for establishing concrete goals for future joint initiatives, guided by pragmatism and mutual respect.
