Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has officially welcomed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at the Palace of Independence in Astana, marking a key moment in the Cyprus leader’s first official visit to Kazakhstan.

The welcoming ceremony featured an honor guard and the performance of the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Cyprus by the Presidential Orchestra. The two heads of state then walked along the red carpet to Kazakhstan’s State Flag before beginning bilateral talks in a restricted format, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

The visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to relations between the two countries, with discussions centered on expanding trade, investment and broader economic cooperation.

Following the one-on-one meeting, the leaders will take part in expanded talks involving official delegations from Kazakhstan and Cyprus. The agenda includes strengthening business partnerships, attracting new investment, and enhancing cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Several agreements and memorandums are expected to be signed, reflecting growing interest in deepening ties between Central Asia’s largest economy and the Eastern Mediterranean nation.

The high-level talks come at a time of increasing connectivity between the two countries. Recent direct Air Astana flights linking Kazakhstan with Larnaca have opened new opportunities for tourism, business travel and people-to-people contacts.