„Bulgaria is one of Kazakhstan's most important partners in Europe, with whom we have deep political and economic ties. Our bilateral cooperation demonstrates stable dynamics in a variety of areas. This is reflected in a trusting political dialogue, fruitful inter-parliamentary interaction, dynamic growth of trade and investment, people-to-people contacts and mutual support on the international stage“, said the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, commenting on the visit of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to Astana.
„It is gratifying to note that our bilateral trade has grown, this is a very good trend. About 60 companies with Bulgarian participation are successfully operating in our market. Currently, we are cooperating productively in industries such as mining, manufacturing, transport and construction. We see great potential for cooperation in promising areas such as energy, transport and logistics, green transition, nuclear industry, space, agriculture, digitalization, healthcare and tourism“, said the President of Kazakhstan.
Rumen Radev noted that Bulgaria highly values the strengthening of the traditionally warm and fruitful relations between our countries and peoples.
“I would like to personally welcome your far-sighted policy and large-scale reforms that contribute to the prosperity of your country. We consider Kazakhstan a key and priority partner in Central Asia. Your successes over the years are admirable: rapid economic growth, breakthroughs in innovation, science, education and high technologies. Yesterday I visited the national space center. Your achievements made a deep impression on me“, said the President of Bulgaria.
Kazakhstan and Bulgaria agreed to develop new investment projects
The two heads of state emphasized the importance of implementing joint projects in areas such as renewable energy sources, green energy, nuclear industry, digitalization, innovation, artificial intelligence, space industry, agriculture, healthcare, cultural and humanitarian ties and tourism.
„We also paid attention to the development of communications in the transport and logistics sector. Today, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor has become one of the strategic trade routes. We agreed to consider the issue of including the Bulgarian seaports of Burgas and Varna in this corridor. We believe that the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation between the two countries should pay special attention to this work. I proposed to create a joint working group for cooperation in the transport and logistics sector within the commission. In addition, I studied Bulgaria's advanced experience in the field of space research and technology, the defense industry and expressed readiness for joint work“, the President of Kazakhstan noted.
Burgas and Varna can join the Trans-Caspian Corridor project
The President of Kazakhstan stated that the talks were substantive and as a result of them a number of specific agreements were reached.
„In particular, we paid special attention to the expansion of trade, economic and investment ties between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria. The growth of bilateral trade is a good trend. Over 60 Bulgarian companies are successfully operating in various industries in our country. Therefore, there is a good opportunity to increase this indicator. "With President Radev, we agreed to increase the volume of mutual trade, as well as to develop new investment projects on a mutually beneficial basis. The special importance of implementing joint initiatives in the fields of oil and gas, renewable energy sources, green energy, the nuclear industry, digitalization, innovation, artificial intelligence, the space industry, agriculture, healthcare, cultural and humanitarian ties and tourism was emphasized," the head of state said.
The relevance of cooperation in the transport and logistics sector was also noted. The parties agreed to work on the issue of joining the Bulgarian seaports of Burgas and Varna to the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor project, which has already become one of the most important strategic trade routes.
Tokayev believes that in order to intensify activities in this direction, it is necessary to effectively use the mechanisms of the Kazakh-Bulgarian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation. He proposed to create a joint working group for cooperation in the transport and logistics sector within the commission.
„We are interested in studying Bulgaria's advanced experience in the field of space research and technology, the defense industry, as well as in joint work in this direction. The Bulgarian delegation includes major Bulgarian businessmen. Kazakhstan is ready to create the most favorable conditions for Bulgarian companies wishing to work on our market. I proposed the creation of a Kazakh-Bulgarian business council to strengthen cooperation between the business communities of our countries“, said President Tokayev.
Kazakhstan and Bulgaria to create a joint business council
„We would like to confirm Kazakhstan's commitment to promoting a mutually beneficial partnership with Bulgaria. We consider your country a major, very important partner of Kazakhstan in Europe and we are doing everything possible to deepen and strengthen our relations in a number of areas“, noted the President of Kazakhstan.
Both countries are committed to strengthening bilateral ties in trade, as well as in other sectors, including agriculture, tourism, healthcare, digitalization and others.
„Kazakhstan strives to further strengthen economic relations and implement projects in the fields of energy, green transition, agriculture, healthcare and tourism. I am confident that the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Relations will be at the forefront of this work. Our goal is also to establish a business council between Bulgaria and Kazakhstan in the near future, and this will be the next step in strengthening our business relations“, Tokayev emphasized.
He also noted that interparliamentary cooperation is another important area for bilateral dialogue.
“To maintain our dialogue, I propose to strengthen the work of our parliamentary groups and organize more frequent interparliamentary visits. Kazakhstan and Bulgaria have been able to successfully cooperate within the framework of the UN and other international organizations, where we have common goals on the world stage. Deepening cultural and humanitarian relations is also an aspect of our agenda. There is an opportunity for cooperation in the field of education, tourism, and this will help us exchange knowledge, expertise, experience and pave the way for the implementation of innovative projects and development initiatives“, said the President of Kazakhstan.
There will be a street named after Sofia in Astana
In 2018, one of the streets in Sofia was named Astana, and in the near future a street named after Sofia will appear in Astana. This became known during the negotiations between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria.
In general, according to Tokayev, the negotiations were successful, and the implementation of the important documents signed as a result will provide a good opportunity for further deepening bilateral relations.
The President of Bulgaria noted that the countries have conducted a serious analysis of interstate relations in all areas of mutual interest. According to him, there is currently a huge potential for strengthening cooperation.
„I am confident that today's talks will give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation. The signed memorandum on the further development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is the embodiment of our aspirations. It is necessary to make the most of the strategic geographical position of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria on this route, which connects Asia with Europe. In addition, we have huge opportunities not only in freight transport, energy and digitalization, but also in expanding our cultural ties“, said Rumen Radev.
Five key documents were signed today between Bulgaria and Kazakhstan:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the city of Astana and the city of Sofia;
- Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing Sisterhood Relations between the city of Shymkent and the city of Plovdiv;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Diplomatic Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan and Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.