Kazakhstan is expanding its presence in the Balkans. The appointment of an Honorary Consul in Ohrid is expected to strengthen cooperation in tourism, culture and business, DKNews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to North Macedonia, Satybaldy Burshakov, paid an official visit to Ohrid, where he met with Mayor Kiril Pecakov. The talks focused on cultural exchange and the promotion of tourism.
Gjorgje Vojnovikj Receives Consular Patent
Ambassador Burshakov introduced the newly appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ohrid, Gjorgje Vojnovikj, to the city authorities.
He formally presented Vojnovikj with the Consular Patent.
The opening of Kazakhstan’s Honorary Consulate in Ohrid is expected to strengthen contacts not only at the diplomatic level, but also between businesses, regions and cultural institutions.
The parties said the new consulate could provide additional impetus to economic and cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and North Macedonia.
Kazakh Artists Invited to the Ohrid Summer Festival
Mayor Kiril Pecakov briefed the Ambassador on the work of the municipality, the history of Ohrid and the region’s economic potential.
Particular attention was given to the 66th traditional Ohrid Summer Festival, which is taking place in July and August this year.
Pecakov invited artists and cultural groups from Kazakhstan to take an active part in the festival’s programs.
For Kazakhstan, the invitation creates an opportunity to present its culture to audiences in the Balkans through an established international cultural platform.
Tourism Could Become a New Area of Cooperation
Ohrid is one of North Macedonia’s major tourist destinations.
The picturesque resort city, with a population of about 50,000, lies on the north-eastern shore of Lake Ohrid, the deepest lake in Europe.
The city combines historic heritage with the infrastructure of a popular summer resort. That makes tourism a natural area for closer cooperation with Kazakhstan.
There are currently no direct flights between Kazakhstan and Ohrid. Ohrid International Airport mainly operates connections with Istanbul, Vienna, Warsaw, Milan, Amsterdam, Zurich, Basel, Bratislava and Dortmund.
UNESCO Heritage Links Ohrid and Kazakhstan
Owing to its numerous churches and monasteries, Ohrid is often referred to as the Balkan and European Jerusalem.
The Ohrid region is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mayor Pecakov also welcomed the recent mission of UNESCO World Heritage Committee members to Ohrid, which included a representative of Kazakhstan.
He expressed gratitude to the UNESCO Committee for its constructive engagement on the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites and the environment of the Ohrid region.
For Kazakhstan, this agenda is also relevant as the country continues to take part in international discussions on protecting World Heritage sites while developing tourism and regional economies.
Economic Ties Also on the Agenda
Ambassador Burshakov briefed the Mayor on Kazakhstan’s key political and socio-economic developments.
The parties also discussed prospects for expanding Kazakh-Macedonian cooperation.
The Honorary Consulate in Ohrid is expected to support these contacts at the local level, from cultural initiatives and tourism to economic cooperation.
At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Burshakov thanked the Mayor for his warm hospitality and presented him with a commemorative book entitled “National Customs and Traditions of the Kazakhs.”
One of the first practical opportunities for the new cooperation could come through this year’s Ohrid Summer Festival, where artists and cultural groups from Kazakhstan have now been invited to participate.
