Kazakhstan and the UK Deepen Strategic Dialogue Focused on Trade, Investment, and Labor Rights
Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have strengthened their bilateral relationship with the eighth meeting of the Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Dialogue, held in London on Feb. 11. This meeting marked a year after the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, celebrated on Jan. 19.
The meeting, co-chaired by Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko and U.K. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Stephen Doughty, covered key issues in politics, economy, energy, environment, culture, and security. They also discussed the ratification process of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, signed in April 2024.
A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kazakhstan's Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the U.K. Gangmasters and Labor Abuse Authority (GLAA), aimed at enhancing labor rights protection for Kazakh citizens working in the U.K.
The Strategic Dialogue reinforced trade and investment cooperation, with the U.K. being one of Kazakhstan’s largest investors, with investments exceeding $18 billion. Currently, about 550 British companies operate in Kazakhstan. The two sides also explored strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue, with Vassilenko meeting Nusrat Ghani, First Deputy Speaker of the U.K. House of Commons.
Since its inception in 2013, the Kazakhstan-UK Strategic Dialogue has provided a robust framework for reviewing bilateral ties and addressing regional and global issues.
Photo credit: Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
