Analyst: Kazakhstan, Armenia Enter New Era of Practical, Long-Term Partnership

Deputy Chair of the Board at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies under Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry Manarbek Kabaziev has said that Kazakhstan and Armenia are entering a new era of practical, long-term cooperation.

Speaking after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Kazakhstan, Kabaziev said the talks showed that ties between the two countries are shifting from political dialogue to real economic and transport projects with regional impact, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

He highlighted plans to boost trade and expand industrial cooperation, noting Kazakhstan’s strong potential in metallurgy, petrochemicals, food production, and machinery - sectors where Armenia is ready to increase imports. At the same time, Armenian companies are actively entering the Kazakh market in IT, services, and retail.

A major breakthrough came in transport and logistics: Kazakhstan has restored transit shipments to Armenia through the South Caucasus for the first time in years, opening a route that can link Central Asia with markets in the Middle East and Europe. Kabaziev called it a key step for Kazakhstan’s ambitions as a Eurasian transit hub.

Digital cooperation is also taking off. The opening of the TUMO technology center in Astana marks a new stage in collaboration in IT, artificial intelligence, and education. Kabaziev said this creates momentum for joint innovation platforms built through Astana Hub, the AIFC, and other networks.

Humanitarian ties are strengthening as well, with growing cultural, educational, and medical exchanges - a foundation, he said, that builds trust and supports long-term economic partnership.

Kabaziev cited strong market potential: nearly $100 million in metallurgy, more than $18 million in machinery, and over $110 million in chemicals and petrochemicals. Kazakhstan could also become a key food supplier to Armenia, offering stable deliveries of wheat, flour, oils, dairy, and confectionery.

Overall, the expert described the visit as strategically important. With new intergovernmental mechanisms, business forums, and signed agreements, he said the countries are moving toward a pragmatic, long-term strategic partnership grounded in real economic results.

Looking ahead, Kabaziev sees the greatest promise in joint value-added projects within the EAEU - including agricultural processing, multimodal transport routes, digital and fintech cooperation, and shared research in nuclear safety and science.

“These initiatives strengthen the competitive position of both countries and expand their opportunities in regional and global markets,” he concluded.