President Tokayev: Italy Remains a Reliable Strategic Partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union
Astana, The Gulf Observer: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described Italy as an important and reliable strategic partner of Kazakhstan within the European Union, stressing that cooperation between the two countries continues to expand across multiple fields.
Speaking at a joint press statement with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Astana, Tokayev highlighted the strong and consistent development of bilateral ties. “The high-level political dialogue continues, while trade and economic relations are growing stronger. Last year, the volume of bilateral trade reached $20 billion, and in the first eight months of this year it amounted to $11.3 billion,” he said.
Tokayev noted that Italy is among Kazakhstan’s largest investment partners, with more than 250 Italian companies successfully operating in the country. Since 2005, Italy has invested over $7.6 billion into Kazakhstan’s economy, with cooperation in this sphere developing “very productively.”
The Head of State described his talks with President Mattarella as substantive, noting that both sides reviewed the progress of agreements reached during his official visit to Italy last year and identified new areas for enhanced cooperation.
“We have agreed to further increase the volume of bilateral trade. A key priority is to intensify business contacts to expand the range of goods. In addition, we have begun reviewing new investment projects that align with our shared interests,” Tokayev said. He underscored special attention to energy, agriculture, machine building, and the light and food industries.
The Kazakh leader also underlined the importance of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation in focusing on these priority areas. He stressed that discussions also covered the development of transport and logistics cooperation, particularly the expansion of international transport routes, including the Trans-Caspian Corridor, as well as prospects for collaboration in logistics infrastructure and the processing industry.
President Mattarella arrived in Astana for an official visit at the invitation of President Tokayev. The visit marks an important step in reinforcing the long-standing partnership and advancing cooperation between Kazakhstan and Italy.
