Kazakhstan identifies Slovakia as a Trustworthy European Partner, according to Tokayev's statements.
Title: Kazakhstan & Slovakia Bolstering Partnership, Emphasizing Economic & Strategic Collaboration
In the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan, under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, warmly welcomed Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia during his recent visit. Tokayev expressed Žilina's visit as an opportunity to bolster the Kazakh-Slovak partnership and unlock potential prospects for bilateral relations.
During their private conversation, President Tokayev noted the close bond between the two nations, with substantial projects underway. He believes there are unexploited opportunities waiting to be tapped in the future, valuing Fico's visit as a significant step in fostering cooperation between the two countries.
"Our relationship with Slovakia is significant. We're working on ambitious projects, and I believe there's much room for improvement. Your visit is crucial, and I'm confident it will pave the way for the development of our relationship," said Tokayev.
As a testament to his commitment, Tokayev assured that as president, he would tirelessly work to expand and deepen ties across a wide range of sectors.
Fico reciprocated Tokayev's sentiments, pledging to give a fresh impetus to bilateral relations and strengthen trade and economic ties with Kazakhstan.
"There are no political disagreements between our countries, allowing us to concentrate on mutually beneficial economic relations and friendship. Today, we'll discuss potential projects beneficial to both parties. I'm optimistic about the success of this visit," Fico stated.
Economic partnership holds prime importance in Kazakh-Slovak cooperation. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $140 million, with over 30 Slovak companies and 22 joint ventures operating in Kazakhstan. Acknowledging the need for diversification, Tokayev pointed towards emerging opportunities in energy, industrial production, agriculture, logistics, digitalization, critical raw materials, education, and tourism sectors.
Moreover, Kazakhstan has shown interest in Slovakia's water resource management practices.
The dialogue also touched upon matters on the international and regional agenda. Both leaders expressed concerns about geopolitical instability, global conflicts, and trade wars, advocating for peaceful resolution of disagreements. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to working within international organizations, particularly the UN and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to coordinate their efforts and address global trends and challenges.
Fico expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome, highlighting the historical contribution of the Kazakh people to Slovakia's liberation during World War II. He emphasized the significance of looking beyond the European Union and interacting more actively with international partners.
"I would like to express my profound gratitude to Kazakhstan for its priceless contribution to Slovakia's liberation during 1944-1945. Around one million soldiers from your country fought in the ranks of the Soviet army. Around 60,000 Soviet soldiers sacrificed their lives for Slovakia's liberation. We are immensely grateful for the sacrifices made during those difficult times," Fico mentioned.
The visit by Prime Minister Fico marks a significant chapter in the developing bond between Kazakhstan and Slovakia, with a focus on economic, cultural, and strategic cooperation. Prospects for joint ventures, technology exchanges, and large-scale projects abound, particularly in the energy, engineering, digitalization, tourism, and water resource management sectors. Furthermore, battles against geopolitical instability and global conflicts unite these nations, fostering collaboration within international organizations.
"The discussion between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Robert Fico highlighted the growing economic partnership between Kazakhstan and Slovakia, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of these relations in policy-and-legislation."
"As prospective projects in various sectors such as energy, industrial production, agriculture, logistics, digitalization, critical raw materials, education, and tourism emerge, the politics surrounding the relationship between these two countries will be closely watched, given the potential for increased trade and economic ties."
