Astana, February 3, 2025 – Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtileu held talks with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan - Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, who arrived in Astana on an official visit.

During the meeting, a wide range of issues of Kazakh-Turkmen cooperation were discussed, including prospects for interaction in the political, trade and economic, transit and transport, energy, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The parties emphasized their commitment to further strengthening strategic partnership in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect.

The heads of foreign ministries of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan comprehensively reviewed the progress of the practical implementation of the agreements reached as a result of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Ashgabat in October 2024. They agreed to further assist in strengthening inter-parliamentary and intergovernmental relations.

Special attention was paid to the issue of further expanding trade and economic cooperation. Over the past two years, the volume of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan has consistently exceeded $500 million. They agreed to take coordinated measures to achieve the goal set by the heads of state to increase bilateral trade turnover to $1 billion.

Significant potential was noted in the energy and transport sectors. Readiness was expressed for further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in these areas.

A significant agenda of cultural and humanitarian cooperation was highlighted. In accordance with the instructions of the heads of state, last year the solemn opening ceremonies of the Makhtumkuli monument were held in Astana, the monuments to Abai and Kurmangazy in Ashgabat, and the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan were organized.

During the meeting, the ministers "balanced the clocks" on topical issues of the regional and international agenda, confirmed their interest in continuing close cooperation within multilateral structures, as well as in providing mutual support in promoting the initiatives of the two states. In this regard, an exchange of verbal notes in support of each other's candidacies was held within the framework of international organizations.

M. Nurtileu congratulated the Turkmen side on the beginning of the International Year of Peace and Trust, declared by the decision of the United Nations General Assembly at the proposal of Turkmenistan.

The Foreign Ministers emphasized the importance of developing regional cooperation within the framework of consultative meetings of the heads of Central Asian states and the International Aral Sea Saving Fund, as well as joint efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/930228