Kazakhstan and Türkiye are seeking to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion and expand cooperation in transport, energy, artificial intelligence and defense, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The meeting continued with the participation of members of the official delegations of both countries, Qazinform News Agency reports.

Tokayev described the talks as particularly symbolic, as they were held on the eve of Türkiye’s Republic Day. He congratulated Erdoğan and the Turkish people on the national holiday.

The Kazakh president praised Türkiye’s political and economic modernization and its growing international influence, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s support for its strategic partner.

Tokayev emphasized that bilateral relations are built on shared history, language and traditions, as well as mutual trust and longstanding friendship.

“Türkiye is one of Kazakhstan’s five largest trading partners. Furthermore, Türkiye ranks among the ten largest investors in our country, having made substantial investments in Kazakhstan’s economy,” Tokayev said.

He added that many major Turkish companies operate successfully in Kazakhstan and that Astana is ready to support Turkish businesses and create favorable conditions for investment.

Tokayev also highlighted the results of Erdoğan’s state visit to Kazakhstan in May, which produced agreements and launched major initiatives in trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation. He said relations between the two countries had reached the level of “eternal friendship and enhanced strategic partnership.”

The Kazakh leader noted that the two presidents would attend the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States together. He also expressed his intention to participate in the upcoming COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye.

Erdoğan, in turn, congratulated Tokayev and the Kazakh people on Kazakhstan’s recent Republic Day.

The Turkish president highlighted cultural initiatives strengthening ties between the two nations, including the presentation in Ankara of The Phenomenon of a Qurultay, a book dedicated to the history of Kazakh statehood. He also noted that the book Nauryz - A Common Heritage of the Turkic World had been translated into Kazakh.

Referring to agreements signed during his May visit to Astana, Erdoğan said both countries intended to reinforce their partnership through practical measures at the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

The talks also covered prospects for cooperation in transport and logistics, energy, artificial intelligence, agriculture and the defense industry, alongside efforts to expand cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

The two countries aim to build on their existing strategic partnership by increasing trade, strengthening investment ties and advancing cooperation across key economic sectors.