Non-resident Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malta Yerbolat Sembayev held talks in Valletta with Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, as part of his working visit to the Maltese capital, DKNews.kz reports.
The meeting covered a wide range of issues, from bilateral cooperation and tourism to international security and energy transportation.
Political Dialogue and Economic Cooperation
During the talks, both sides emphasized the importance of deepening political dialogue and expanding trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Malta. Special attention was paid to the potential for cooperation in key sectors, including:
- construction,
- healthcare,
- transport,
- and finance.
The interlocutors agreed that these areas offer strong opportunities for practical, mutually beneficial projects.
Tourism and Visa Liberalization in Focus
Ambassador Sembayev highlighted the dynamic development of cooperation in the education sector and stressed the need to further strengthen ties in tourism.
According to him, Malta has become one of the popular Mediterranean destinations for Kazakh citizens, appreciated for both its hospitality and high level of safety. In this context, the Ambassador raised the issue of abolishing the visa regime between the two countries, noting that visa-free travel would significantly boost tourism, people-to-people contacts, and business exchanges.
Malta Ready for Visa-Free Agreement
In response, Ian Borg expressed Malta’s readiness to swiftly sign an agreement on lifting the visa regime with Kazakhstan. He noted that simplifying travel procedures aligns with the interests of both countries and could give fresh momentum to bilateral relations, particularly in tourism.
Black Sea Security and Kazakh Oil Shipments
The meeting also touched on the international security agenda. Ambassador Sembayev raised concerns over recent drone attacks on oil tankers near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in the Black Sea, which were transporting Kazakh oil. One of the tankers involved was sailing under the Maltese flag.
He stressed that although Kazakhstan is not a party to the conflict, it faces serious risks and indirect economic losses, which ultimately affect the global oil market, including Europe.
Commitment to Maritime Safety and International Law
Commenting on the issue, Ian Borg underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of maritime transport and the strict observance of international law. As a maritime nation, Malta places high priority on the protection of civilian shipping and freedom of navigation.
Dialogue to Continue
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and the development of practical cooperation mechanisms.
Observers note that progress toward visa-free travel, combined with closer political coordination, could elevate Kazakhstan–Malta relations to a new level and open additional opportunities in tourism, trade, and international cooperation.
