Kazakhstan and Czech Republic Commit to Deepening Bilateral Ties
Prague, The Gulf Observer: Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko paid a working visit to Prague, where he met with Jíři Kozák, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, according to a statement from the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service.
The discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of Kazakh-Czech relations, covering a wide range of fields, including political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. The development of political contacts and preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, scheduled for the second half of 2024, were highlighted.
Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, emphasizing cooperation within the framework of the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and other international organizations. The importance of strengthening the partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was also underscored.
Astana and Prague have developed mutually beneficial and friendly relations, evidenced by top-level meetings and the commitment to fostering trust and constructive dialogue between the two nations. Kazakhstan expressed a particular interest in deepening cooperation with leading Czech companies, including Škoda Transportation, Ferrit, Zetor, Sklostroj, Omnipol, Tatra, and Primoco UAV SE, whose technologies and products are seen as valuable for various sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy.
Deputy Minister Vassilenko also highlighted the successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses to Kazakhstan, a project undertaken in collaboration with the Prague Zoo. In June this year, the first group of seven horses was successfully transported and released in Kazakhstan, marking a significant step in restoring the population of this rare species in the region.
“This project represents a crucial contribution to the conservation of one of the rarest wildlife species. Przewalski’s horses, symbols of the steppes, are being reintroduced to their natural habitat in Kazakhstan, aiding in the restoration of ecosystems and preservation of biodiversity,” Vassilenko stated.
During his visit, Vassilenko also participated in the GLOBSEC-2024 international forum, which serves as a platform for discussing strategic global and regional issues. On the sidelines of the forum, he held bilateral meetings with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Norway, Slovenia, and other nations.
Kazakh-Czech bilateral trade has seen substantial growth, with the volume reaching 626.8 million USD in 2023, a 48.4% increase from the previous year. From January to July 2024, trade amounted to 275.3 million USD. The gross inflow of direct Czech investments into Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2023 totaled 329.6 million USD, with a notable rise in 2023 and continued investment in the first quarter of 2024. Approximately 150 legal entities with Czech capital are currently operating in Kazakhstan, contributing to the ongoing economic partnership between the two countries.
