Georgia, Kazakhstan elevate ties to strategic partnership during PM's official visit

Georgia and Kazakhstan have elevated their bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership following talks between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.

Kobakhidze's official visit began with a welcoming ceremony at the Palace of Independence, where the two leaders reviewed an honor guard, the national anthems of Georgia and Kazakhstan were played, and they introduced members of their respective government delegations.

The prime minister and the president then held one-on-one and expanded-format meetings, after which the two countries signed agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.

The leaders discussed the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed that establishing a strategic partnership would further deepen cooperation, the government press office said on Monday.

Particular attention was given to trade and economic ties, with both sides highlighting significant potential to expand bilateral trade, strengthen investment links and promote exports to each other's markets.

The talks also focused on transport and logistics, with the leaders emphasizing the growing strategic importance of the Middle Corridor and the need to coordinate efforts to attract additional cargo traffic along the route.

Addressing the expanded-format meeting, Kobakhidze thanked Tokayev for Kazakhstan's hospitality and praised his leadership.

“I would like to express my respect for your leadership, which has contributed to Kazakhstan's continued progress and strengthened its position as an important and respected partner in the region,” Kobakhidze said.

The Georgian prime minister also congratulated Tokayev on Kazakhstan's constitutional reforms and referendum, expressing confidence that the reforms would further enhance the country's institutional resilience.

“Establishing a strategic partnership is a significant achievement in our bilateral relations, and I am confident this important step will create new opportunities to expand cooperation between our countries in many areas,” Kobakhidze said.

He thanked Kazakhstan for its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed the importance of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in advancing trade and investment relations.

Tokayev described Georgia as a trusted and reliable partner, highlighting the longstanding friendship between the two countries.

“Georgia is a proven and highly reliable partner for us. We highly value the traditional friendly relations between our countries,” the Kazakh president said.

Tokayev said the joint declaration to be signed during the visit would elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

“This is truly a historic decision that serves the fundamental interests of our peoples and creates a solid foundation for further expanding cooperation between our two countries. It is one of the most important outcomes of your visit to Kazakhstan,” he said.

The Kazakh leader also praised Georgia's recent development, saying the country had achieved notable progress in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting economic growth and enhancing its international standing.

In addition to bilateral relations, the two leaders also discussed cooperation within international organizations.