Astana, October 29, 2024 – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov held talks with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Edmondo Cirielli.
During the meeting, the parties discussed key issues of bilateral cooperation, in particular, the practical implementation of agreements reached following the official visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Italy in January 2024.
At the same time, the interlocutors exchanged views on the issue of interaction within the framework of the Central Asia+ dialogue Italy", as well as at the site of various international organizations.
A. Kuantyrov stressed that Italy is the largest trading partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union. He noted with satisfaction the successful holding of the 9th meeting of the Kazakh-Italian intergovernmental working group on industrial and economic cooperation and exchange, which took place during the visit of E. Cirielli to our capital.
In turn, the Italian diplomat confirmed that Rome traditionally attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with Astana. In particular, he informed about the Sogesid company's project aimed at the socio-ecological revival of the areas of the Aral Sea zone.
In this regard, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan welcomed the initiative of the Italian side to develop an Action Plan to create a knowledge exchange network between Central Asia and Italy, which provides for a meeting of working groups on agriculture, health, transport, higher education, water resources and energy.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue a multifaceted dialogue aimed at strengthening the entire spectrum of the Kazakh-Italian strategic partnership.
For reference: Italy is the largest economic partner of Kazakhstan in the EU. In January-September 2024, the trade turnover reached 16 billion US dollars (exports – 15.1 billion, imports – 900 million), which is 36% higher than in the same period of the previous year (11.7 billion dollars). From 2005 to the second quarter of 2024, the volume of investments from Italy to Kazakhstan amounted to more than 7.6 billions of dollars. 278 legal entities with the participation of Italian capital are registered in Kazakhstan.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/874405