During an official visit to the Republic of Cyprus, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, held a meeting with Cyprus' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, according to the press service of the Kazakh MFA.
The meeting focused on the topical issues of bilateral cooperation in political, trade-economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian areas, The Caspian Post reports citing Kazinform.
The parties pointed out that regular meetings between the two countries' foreign ministers had given a significant impetus to the progressive development of bilateral relations, as well as the strengthening of the relevant legal framework.
Photo credit: mfa.gov.kz Murat Nurtleu emphasized that in 2024, bilateral trade turnover surged by 5 times compared to 2023, and the volume of Cypriot investments in 2024 amounted to $227 million. It was proposed to intensify business contacts in order to expand investment cooperation and further increase the volume of mutual trade.
In turn, Constantinos Kombos noted that Kazakhstan is a reliable partner of Nicosia in Central Asia. The interaction between the two countries within various international platforms, including the UN and the OSCE, was highly appreciated.
The parties reached an agreement to consider the possibility of establishing an Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, to boost the activities of the Cyprus-Kazakhstan Business Association, and to work on the opening of direct flights between countries.
Following the talks, the officials confirmed their readiness for close and fruitful cooperation and the development of new initiatives in priority areas, including within the forthcoming presidency of Cyprus in the Council of EU in H1 2026.
Photo credit: mfa.gov.kz During the visit, Nurtleu met with the President of the Cyprus-Kazakhstan Business Association Costas Markides for discussing the topical issues of economic cooperation, attracting Cypriot investments in Kazakhstan, as well as the prospects for the implementation of joint projects in various areas.
It was noted that the deepening of partnership between the business communities of the two countries would be an important factor in the further growth of mutual trade and expansion of investment cooperation.
In 2024, Kazakhstan-Cyprus trade turnover amounted to $7.1 million (exports - $6.2 million, imports - $949 thousand), which is 5 times more than in 2023. In the period from 2005 to the second quarter of 2024, the volume of Cypriot investments in the economy of Kazakhstan exceeded $4.8 billion. The inflow of direct investments from Cyprus for 2024 amounted to $227.6 million. There are 367 companies with Cypriot capital registered in Kazakhstan.
Earlier, Murat Nurtleu was received by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. The sides emphasized a high level of bilateral cooperation achieved recently and the mood for its further strengthening.
