Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Kazakhstan on May 13 for a state visit, during which he is expected to hold talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The visit comes amid the rapid expansion of economic and political cooperation between Ankara and Astana, as well as the growing role of the Organization of Turkic States in regional politics.

According to the official program, Astana will host the sixth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Turkiye and Kazakhstan. The sides are expected to discuss the future development of bilateral relations, expansion of trade and economic partnership, transport and logistics projects, as well as regional security issues.

In recent years, Turkiye and Kazakhstan have significantly strengthened cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, infrastructure, and transit routes. Particular importance is being attached to the development of the Middle Corridor — a transport route linking China and Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye. Ankara views the project as one of the key elements of its strategy to expand economic influence across the Turkic world.

Additional attention is being paid to cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. It should be noted that Turkiye’s trade turnover with OTS member states reached nearly $17 billion in 2025, while Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan remain Ankara’s largest partners within the organization.

 

Experts note that Erdogan’s visit carries not only economic but also geopolitical significance. Against the backdrop of instability in the Middle East, tensions surrounding Iran, and the ongoing transformation of Eurasian transport routes, Turkiye is seeking to strengthen its position in Central Asia. Kazakhstan, for its part, is interested in diversifying its foreign economic ties and expanding cooperation with regional centers of power.

Following the talks in Astana, the Turkish leader is also expected to participate in the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, where regional integration, trade, and the development of transport corridors will be among the key topics on the agenda.

#KAZAKHSTAN

#TURKIYE

13.05.2026 07:43