Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan and Armenia on Friday formally elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership following high-level talks between President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Astana.
The upgrade, sealed through a joint statement, marks the beginning of what both sides describe as a new era of cooperation across political, economic and cultural domains.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged 15 intergovernmental and interagency agreements covering a wide span of sectors. These include the protection of classified information, allocation of land for diplomatic missions, a Trade and Economic Cooperation Roadmap (2026–2030), and expanded collaboration in industry, agriculture, healthcare, science, education, digitalisation, and the peaceful use of atomic energy.
The countries also signed agreements linking national museums, libraries and film institutions, while establishing a Kazakhstan–Armenia Business Council to engage private-sector actors.
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Tokayev underscored the political importance of the upgrade, noting that “an open and trusting political dialogue has been established at all levels,” and adding that bilateral ties hold “significant potential for comprehensive strengthening and expansion.”
Pashinyan highlighted the people-to-people dimension, emphasizing mutual respect as a foundation for deeper ties. Their meeting builds on Tokayev’s visit to Yerevan in April 2024, when momentum toward closer cooperation accelerated.
Symbolism was a prominent element of the visit. Tokayev awarded Pashinyan the Order of Altyn Qyran (Golden Eagle), Kazakhstan’s highest state honour, in recognition of his leadership, contributions to regional peace and efforts to strengthen relations with Astana. Cultural diplomacy has flourished this year, with Yerevan hosting the Days of Kazakhstan Culture, the inauguration of a park named after Kazakh poet Abai, and Kazakhstan promoting Armenian cultural presence at its own events and academic platforms.
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The strategic partnership caps more than three decades of diplomatic relations that began in August 1992. A Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation followed in 1999, while multilateral platforms, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), have long provided a structured environment for bilateral engagement.
