Astana and Belgrade Celebrate 28 Years of Strategic Partnership
Kazakhstan and Serbia commemorate 28 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring a partnership built on mutual respect and strategic collaboration. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s upcoming visit to Belgrade on Nov. 19 emphasizes the enduring strength of this alliance.
Diplomatic ties between the two nations were officially established on Dec. 10, 1996, paving the way for a series of milestones. Serbia opened its embassy in Astana in 2011, and Kazakhstan followed with its embassy in Belgrade in 2019. High-level exchanges, including visits by Serbian presidents to Kazakhstan and regular phone discussions between President Tokayev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, reflect the evolving depth of their relationship.
The nations have solidified their cooperation through 24 bilateral agreements, spanning political, economic, and cultural domains. Key areas of collaboration include trade and transport, particularly through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, which enhances connectivity and economic integration.
Alisher Abdreshev, an expert from the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS), highlighted the importance of interparliamentary cooperation and mutual support in international forums as pillars of the partnership.
“The strong partnership between Kazakhstan and Serbia is evident in Serbia’s support for Kazakhstan’s OSCE chairmanship bid, its hosting of EXPO 2017 in Astana and its candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018,” said Abdreshev.
“The trade turnover between our countries is slightly more than $90 million. Of course, this does not reflect the existing potential. Serbia remains a reliable partner for Kazakhstan in Southern Europe and the Balkans,” added Abdreshev.
This enduring alliance, marked by shared priorities and a commitment to addressing global challenges, continues to foster progress in both nations, signaling a bright future for Kazakhstan-Serbia relations.
