Kazakh FM discusses the preparations for the meeting of presidents in Ankara

As geopolitical tensions continue to rise in Central Asia and the Middle East, the importance of strong diplomatic relations and cooperation between nations becomes ever more apparent. One such relationship is that between Kazakhstan and Turkey, two nations with deep historical ties dating back centuries.

In a recent meeting held in Ankara, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi met with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, for high-level diplomatic discussions focused on regional security, economic cooperation, and the upcoming meeting of presidents.

The presidential summit, scheduled to take place later this year, will see President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan meeting face to face with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With stakes running high and a multitude of pressing issues at hand, a successful outcome of the summit is crucial for both countries.

During the course of their meeting, both Tleuberdi and Çavuşoğlu agreed that strengthening bilateral ties in various fields would be integral to ensuring stability within the region. Topics discussed included combating terrorism and organized crime, increasing trade volume between Kazakhstan and Turkey, improving cultural ties, as well as enhancing cooperation in the spheres of education and technology.

Both foreign ministers acknowledged the mutual benefits of boosting tourism between their respective nations. With Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and tourist-friendly cities like Istanbul and Antalya – not to mention Kazakhstan’s breathtaking landscapes – this segment remains one of untapped potential in terms of bilateral cooperation.

However, it should be noted that the summit’s main focus will be on matters concerning regional security. This is because Kazakhstan holds an advantageous position within Central Asia due to its geographic location, as well as its stable political climate compared to neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Also notable is Kazakhstan’s involvement in multinational projects like Turkic Council – a platform encompassing five Turkic-speaking countries including Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, along with observer member Hungary. This collaboration establishes solidarity among members and aims at promoting comprehensive cooperation on multiple levels.

In a joint press conference following their discussions in Ankara, Tleuberdi highlighted that “Turkey and Kazakhstan have great potential for cooperation,” while reiterating his confidence that the upcoming summit will serve to further deepen bilateral relations between these culturally-linked allies.

Çavuşoğlu reciprocated by stating that Turkey truly values its relationship with Kazakhstan and the role it plays in bringing about stability within Central Asia. He underlined Turkey’s commitment toward forging stronger ties based on mutual respect by saying: “We have always supported our brothers’ independent policy.”

With both foreign ministers expressing optimism about their shared goals ahead of the presidential summit in Ankara later this year, we are poised to witness an exciting new chapter unfold within Kazakh-Turkish relations – one marked by deeper cooperation across various fields and consolidated efforts to ensure peace and stability in a volatile region.