Belgian king highlights close ties with Kazakhstan during state visit/economic mission

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At the official opening of the state visit, king Philippe told the press at the Presidential Palace in Astana about the historic ties Belgium and Kazakhstan have built up over the past thirty years. The king referred, among other things, to the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the European Union and Kazakhstan, which entered into force in 2020, and to Belgium's role as a major investor…

Belgian king highlights close ties with Kazakhstan during state visit/economic mission

The king also praised the country's social reforms and progress in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. He further highlighted Kazakhstan's geopolitical role as a bridge-builder and promoter of the international legal order.

King Philippe has visited Kazakhstan three times before, as crown prince. "Exactly 24 years ago, I witnessed the landing at Baikonur, when the Belgian astronaut (Frank De Winne, ed.) returned safely to Earth. In 2009, I returned to attend the launch of a space rocket carrying another Belgian astronaut (De Winne's second mission, ed.), this time for a long stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In 2010, as crown prince, I had the honour of leading the first Belgian economic mission to Kazakhstan. That important mission ushered in a period of growing bilateral relations, with numerous economic and academic exchanges."

The king and queen are in Kazakhstan at president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's invitation. "When you, Mr president, visited Brussels (in 2021 and June 2026, ed.) and so warmly invited us to make a state visit to your country, we did not hesitate for a moment. I am particularly delighted that the visit is taking place in the year Kazakhstan celebrates the 35th anniversary of its independence," said the King.

The king also referred to economic ties. In less than ten years, trade between Belgium and Kazakhstan almost tripled, from 220 million euros in 2016 to 765 million euros in 2025. Belgium is now the sixth-largest source of foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan. "There are countless partnerships across many fields, some of which we will learn more about during our stay in Astana and Almaty."

On Monday afternoon, the king and queen will visit the National Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Astana. Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova, together with president Tokayev, will show them around.

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