Bulgarian Ports to Join Trans-Caspian Corridor: Outcomes of Toqayev–Radev Talks

Presidents Qasym-Jomart Toqayev of Kazakhstan and Rumen Radev of Bulgaria held official talks at the Aqorda presidential palace, resulting in several key agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation.

The visit concluded with the signing of multiple memoranda focusing on expanding the Trans-Caspian transport corridor, strengthening diplomatic ties, and boosting municipal and business collaboration. Orda.kz outlines the main outcomes of the high-level meeting.

Kazakhstan and Bulgaria enjoy longstanding political and economic relations. Today, Astana and Sofia cooperate across various sectors, including mining, manufacturing, transport, and construction.

In the past four months alone, mutual trade has surpassed $83 million.

Currently, around 60 companies with Bulgarian participation are operating in Kazakhstan. We see great potential for cooperation in such promising areas as energy, logistics, green transition initiatives, the nuclear sector, space, agriculture, digitalization, healthcare, and tourism, said President Toqayev during the talks. 

President Rumen Radev shared his impressions of Kazakhstan, having visited the country’s National Space Center the day before.

We consider Kazakhstan a key and priority partner in Central Asia. Your successes over the years are admirable. Yesterday I visited the National Space Center. I was deeply impressed by your achievements, Radev said. 

He emphasized the importance of leveraging the geographic advantages of both nations, noting that Kazakhstan and Bulgaria are ideally positioned to serve as key links between Asia and Europe.

We must fully utilize the strategic geographical location of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria along this route, which connects Asia and Europe.he added. 

The talks also touched on cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Soon, Sofia Street will appear in Astana, mirroring Astana Street in the Bulgarian capital.

On the international front, both presidents discussed shared concerns over ongoing global tensions.

The current geopolitical conflicts in the world remain a serious concern for both our countries. We are convinced that all problems should be resolved peacefully through political and diplomatic means. We attach particular importance to the further development of multilateral diplomacy, Toqayev said. 

The Aqorda press service published a list of the documents signed during the visit:

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria on developing the Trans-Caspian international transport route
• Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Astana and Sofia
• Twinning Agreement between the cities of Shymkent and Plovdiv
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan and the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Memorandum of Understanding between Kazakhstan’s Chamber of Commerce LLP and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova