Kazakhstan and Turkey have taken steps to deepen their partnership following Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Ankara, signaling a shift toward broader strategic cooperation in Eurasia. The visit resulted in binding agreements and infrastructure commitments, reflecting an agenda that extends beyond cultural exchange or basic trade relations.
Bilateral Cooperation Gains Structural Depth
Officials from both countries described the relationship as an “expanded strategic partnership,” emphasizing long-term coordination in sectors including energy, transport, defense, education, and agriculture. Kazakhstan brings economic scale, resource capacity, and a key position along the Middle Corridor trade route, while Turkey offers industrial expertise, maritime access, and political reach into Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
Economic ties have broadened in recent years. Bilateral trade surpassed $5 billion in 2024, with activity spanning construction, logistics, manufacturing, digital services, and food processing. Turkish firms have taken part in infrastructure development in Kazakhstan, often as equity investors, while Kazakh companies have sought Turkish industrial expertise and access to Mediterranean markets.
Infrastructure as a Strategic Connector
Kazakhstan’s geographic position, linking China to the South Caucasus and Europe, makes it a pivotal transport hub. Cooperation with Turkey has focused on integrating ports, railways, and customs systems, as well as developing multimodal and digital logistics. Both governments see transport projects as part of a shared logistical framework designed to improve trade flows, reduce chokepoints, and enhance interoperability between their networks.
“Kazakhstan is our biggest trade partner in the region” https://t.co/Op4TLlpxnN pic.twitter.com/0AAEhs7qCl
— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) July 29, 2025
Role of the Organization of Turkic States
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has become an important platform for the two countries, enabling them to align on transport, trade, and education policy alongside other Turkic members. Within this framework, Kazakhstan and Turkey work as co-developers of regional projects, coordinating on standards and regulations that extend beyond bilateral agreements. This cooperation allows initiatives to be embedded in a wider regional network while maintaining policy coherence.
Multi-Vector Foreign Policy in Practice
The partnership with Turkey fits within Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy, which maintains simultaneous ties with multiple powers. Kazakhstan continues to cooperate with Russia through the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, works with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, and engages with the European Union on investment and regulatory alignment.
Turkey’s role is distinct in this mix, centering on defense-industrial projects, logistical development, and cultural diplomacy. According to officials, this diversification strengthens Kazakhstan’s resilience by ensuring that no single partner dominates its foreign relations.
Evolving Regional Role
Kazakhstan’s foreign policy has shifted from a primarily balancing role to one that actively shapes regional frameworks. Under President Tokayev, the government has promoted what it calls “embedded sovereignty,” positioning the country as a convener of regional dialogue and a co-author of strategic initiatives.
Tokayev’s visit to Ankara reflected this approach, highlighting Kazakhstan’s intention to act as a regional connector that participates in multiple economic and political networks. The agreements reached during the trip suggest that both Kazakhstan and Turkey see their cooperation as a long-term strategic investment in a more interconnected Eurasian landscape.