Kazakhstan and UK Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement, Strengthening Ties

Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have signed a new Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, marking a significant turning point in the bilateral relations between the two countries. The agreement was signed during an official visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where he met with Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The wide-ranging agreement covers cooperation in key sectors such as foreign policy, trade, investment, energy, climate change, and education. It aims to provide a new foundation for expanding the multifaceted bilateral agenda between Kazakhstan and the UK. "The agreement will be a significant step in taking political, trade, and investment relations between the two countries to new heights," stated Nurtleu following the signing ceremony.

During the talks, Cameron expressed the UK's support for the ongoing changes in Kazakhstan and its readiness to strengthen ties with Astana. He highlighted the progress Kazakhstan has made economically, socially, and politically over the past 11 years since his previous visit as Prime Minister in 2013. "The UK is not asking Kazakhstan to choose between partners, but rather wants to be a partner in areas like education, climate change, and business growth," emphasized Cameron, underscoring that the UK does not force Kazakhstan to choose trading partners, including Russia.

The visit also saw the announcement of doubling scholarships for young Kazakhs to study in the UK through the Chevening program. The UK is among the top 10 investors in Kazakhstan, with over $17 billion in direct investments over the last 20 years. In 2023, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $1.18 billion, despite a decrease compared to the previous year.

Why this matters: The signing of the strategic partnership agreement between Kazakhstan and the UK reflects the increasing significance of Central Asia in global geopolitics and the UK's efforts to strengthen its partnerships in the region. The agreement paves the way for enhanced cooperation in crucial areas such as energy, education, and climate change, which could have far-reaching implications for both countries and the wider region.

President Tokayev described the UK as an "important strategic partner" and expressed confidence that the agreement will provide a qualitatively new foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of energy, education, business, culture, and strengthening interpersonal ties. The two leaders also exchanged views on current regional and international issues during their meeting.

Key Takeaways

• Kazakhstan and UK signed strategic partnership agreement
• Agreement covers cooperation in foreign policy, trade, energy, climate
• UK expressed support for Kazakhstan's ongoing reforms
• UK to double Chevening scholarships for Kazakhstani students
• Agreement reflects UK's efforts to strengthen ties in Central Asia