Astana continues to strengthen its ties with Rome. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Arman Issetov met with Italian Ambassador Antonello De Riu to discuss the future of one of Kazakhstan’s most dynamic European partnerships — and the numbers behind it are impressive, DKNews.kz reports.
A Strategic Partnership That Keeps Growing
Italy remains one of Kazakhstan’s closest partners in Europe — and not just on paper. According to Issetov, bilateral trade reached nearly $17 billion in 2025, highlighting the resilience and depth of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Over the past three decades, Italian investments in Kazakhstan have surpassed $9.5 billion. Today, 267 Italian companies operate across Kazakhstan in sectors ranging from energy and engineering to construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
“Italy remains one of Kazakhstan’s key partners in Europe and a leading investor in our economy,” Issetov emphasized during the meeting.
This long-standing economic relationship is rooted in Kazakhstan’s role as a major energy supplier and Italy’s position as one of Europe’s industrial powerhouses. Italian companies have been actively involved in large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, contributing not only capital but also technology and expertise.
Beyond Trade: Politics, Culture, and Humanitarian Cooperation
The talks in Astana were not limited to economics. Both sides placed special emphasis on enhancing political dialogue and expanding cooperation in cultural and humanitarian spheres.
This means more than diplomatic protocol. Cultural exchanges, educational programs, and joint initiatives in science and innovation are becoming an increasingly important part of bilateral relations — strengthening people-to-people ties alongside business cooperation.
Kazakhstan and Italy have built a strategic partnership that balances economic pragmatism with shared long-term interests, including regional stability and multilateral engagement.
Olympic Congratulations and Symbolic Diplomacy
During the meeting, Issetov also congratulated Ambassador De Riu on the successful organization of the Winter Olympic Games and the strong performance of the Italian team.
“The Games were organised at the highest level and made a significant contribution to promoting Olympic values worldwide,” he noted.
While seemingly ceremonial, such gestures reflect the broader diplomatic climate between the two nations — respectful, constructive, and forward-looking.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The two diplomats reviewed the schedule of upcoming bilateral engagements planned for 2026, signaling that momentum will continue.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their readiness to deepen the strategic partnership between Astana and Rome. In practical terms, this could translate into new investment agreements, expanded trade routes, joint ventures in green energy, and increased cultural collaboration.
As global economic dynamics shift and Europe seeks reliable partners, Kazakhstan’s role as a stable and resource-rich hub in Central Asia continues to grow — and Italy appears ready to remain at the forefront of that partnership.
For Astana and Rome, the message is clear: the relationship is not only stable — it is accelerating.
