site.btaDeputy Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Kazakhstan Hold Political Consultations in Astana

Political consultations between the foreign ministries of Bulgaria and Kazakhstan were held at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Astana on October 18, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Thursday. The Bulgarian delegated was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Tihomir Stoychev and Kazakhstan’s delegation, by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko. 

The consultations’ main goal was to renew the high-level political dialogue and intensify the bilateral relations in the fields of mutual interest, following the pandemic-caused pause.

The two sides noted the constructive political dialogue at the high and highest levels, which has been developing sustainably in the spirit of friendship and pragmatism after the declaration of Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991. Bulgaria sees Kazakhstan as its main partner in the region of Central Asia. 

There is significant potential for deepening the bilateral cooperation in the fields of connectivity (transport, energy, digital), green transition and critical materials. Interest was expressed in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which in the current geopolitical situation offers opportunities for increasing the trade between Europe and Asia through the Caspian Sea and Black Sea.

The sides reviewed the trade and economic ties and investments as well as the bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, science and education, culture, tourism, consular relations, and other areas. Bulgaria and Kazakhstan expressed expectation for Sofia to host the 5th Bulgaria-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, which would contribute to the development of their bilateral relations.

Based on a review of their bilateral agreements, the sides agreed to accelerate the coordination of a series of draft treaties and memoranda of cooperation in the fields of ICT, innovation, education, air transport, re-admission of illegally residing persons, tourism, regulation of labour migration, and others.

The sides also exchanged opinions on a series of matters on the international and regional agenda and discussed the opportunities to deepen their bilateral cooperation, including through the effective application of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the EU Strategy on Central Asia. Bulgaria and Kazakhstan noted the excellent cooperation within international organizations through mutual support of nominations. 

Within their visit to Astana, the Bulgarian delegation held meetings with the head of the Kazakhstan-Bulgaria friendship group in parliament, E. Abil, Deputy Minister of Natoinal Economy A. Abdikarimov, and Deputy Transport Minister S. Ablaliev, the Foreign Ministry’s press release reads.