Kazakhstan and Belgium have opened a new chapter in their partnership. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians at Akorda in Astana on October 12, 2026, during the royal couple's first state visit to Kazakhstan. The meeting followed an official welcoming ceremony featuring military honors and a helicopter flyover, DKNews.kz reports.
Royal welcome at Akorda
The Belgian monarchs were welcomed with a formal ceremony at the presidential residence in Astana.
Helicopters from Kazakhstan's Air Defense Forces flew over Akorda carrying the national flags of Kazakhstan and Belgium, marking the occasion with a ceremonial display.
President Tokayev and King Philippe introduced the members of their official delegations. The commander of the honor guard delivered a ceremonial report, while the presidential orchestra performed both countries' national anthems.
Following the ceremony, the delegations proceeded to the Eastern Hall, where talks were held in a narrow format.
Tokayev calls the visit a historic moment
Opening the talks, President Tokayev described the first state visit by Belgium's King and Queen as an important milestone in bilateral relations.
He also welcomed the broad composition of the Belgian delegation, which included representatives of government, regional authorities, business, academia and the media.
«It is a great honor for me to welcome you in Astana. This is a historic visit that has attracted so much attention from our society. I am very much grateful that a distinguished delegation to Kazakhstan includes representatives of Government and regional authorities, the business, the academia, and the media. As Crown Prince, you visited Kazakhstan three times. We greatly appreciate your commitment to developing relations with our country and have always felt your support,» Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.
The President recalled that King Philippe had visited Kazakhstan three times before ascending to the throne, emphasizing his longstanding involvement in developing relations between the two countries.
35 years of diplomatic relations approaching
One of the central themes of the meeting was the approaching 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Belgium, which will be marked in 2027.
Tokayev described Belgium as a longstanding and valued European partner, highlighting the importance of political dialogue and mutual respect.
«Next year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries. Over the years, we have forged close relations rooted in genuine friendship and mutual respect. Our trusted cooperation is underpinned by continuous political dialogue. We are closely following your achievements. They are truly impressive. We must follow your suit and learn from your experience. I fondly recall my visit to Belgium five years ago and the substantive talks we held at that time. My return visit to Brussels in June of this year and my talks with Prime Minister Bart De Wever reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening the partnership,» the Head of State said.
The President's remarks highlighted the continuity of high-level contacts, including his June 2026 visit to Brussels and discussions with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Belgium sees Kazakhstan as a key Central Asian partner
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde thanked the Kazakh President for the warm reception and praised Kazakhstan's socioeconomic achievements and growing international standing.
The Belgian monarch emphasized that Kazakhstan and Central Asia hold considerable importance for Belgium, pointing to opportunities for expanding cooperation in future-oriented sectors.
«Kazakhstan is a very important country for us and is doing very well. The entire Central Asian region is also of great significance. In Belgium, we take a keen interest in your region, and we have come here with a high-level delegation. Of course, we know each other well. Our countries have maintained excellent relations for 35 years, and we intend to celebrate this anniversary. At the same time, we are convinced that we can bring them to a higher level. My delegation includes representatives from a wide range of promising, future-oriented sectors. Mr President, I know you have adjusted your schedule to make time for us and accompany us. We are extremely touched by this. We greatly appreciate the honor you have bestowed upon us and the time you have devoted to us,» King Philippe of the Belgians said.
What the talks mean for Kazakhstan and Belgium
The meeting underscored both countries' intention to strengthen their longstanding partnership and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
The participation of Belgian government officials, regional representatives, business leaders and academics suggests that the visit is intended to support dialogue across several areas, rather than focus solely on diplomatic relations.
For Kazakhstan, the talks provide another opportunity to deepen engagement with a European partner. For Belgium, the visit reflects its interest in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region.
No specific agreements or investment commitments were announced in the account of the narrow-format meeting.
We previously reported on King Philippe and Queen Mathilde's arrival in Astana on October 11, when President Tokayev personally welcomed the royal couple at the airport. The visit began with a fighter jet escort and an official reception, setting the stage for the high-level talks at Akorda.
