Kazakhstan works to ease visa regime with Great Britain
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Kazakh Foreign Ministry is working to facilitate visa procedures with Great Britain, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Issetov said, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The Kazakh Senate debates ratification of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to Senator Saken Arubayev, currently, UK citizens can stay in Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days, while Kazakh citizens must obtain a UK visa, often more complex than a Schengen visa.
Arman Issetov acknowledged this imbalance, noting that the UK has recently tightened migration requirements. He stressed Kazakhstan continues to raise the issue in bilateral negotiations, aiming for gradual progress.
He also highlighted that ratification of the new agreement will provide a stronger foundation for advancing dialogue.
The first steps are expected to focus on easing visa rules for students, academics, official delegations, and business representatives.
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The President receives letters of credence from newly appointed ambassadors
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Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev received credentials from Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of four states at the Akorda residence, akorda.kz reports
Ambassador of the State of Kuwait Adel Ahmed Sulaiman Alghenaiman, Ambassador of Mongolia Gunaajav Batjargal, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco Mireille Martini, and Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador Yuri Pavel Santacruz Perdomo presented their credentials to the Head of State.
The President congratulated the foreign diplomats on the beginning of their official mission in Kazakhstan and expressed confidence that they would contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation.
The Head of State noted that Kazakhstan is undergoing a massive transformation.
On March 15, there was a referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution, which is being recognized as very progressive one. We are building a Just and Fair Kazakhstan based on the concept of Law and Order. Kazakhstan is committed to becoming an advanced country focused on the development of knowledge, innovation, and AI. This year has been declared the Year of Artificial Intelligence, and we are doing our utmost to move forward in this extremely important area," the President said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan pursues a peaceful and balanced foreign policy aimed at strengthening constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries.
I believe you will find many opportunities to promote the interests of your respective countries here in Kazakhstan. Next week promises to be eventful, as we expect the visit of the President of Mongolia. Then, Astana will host the Regional Environmental Summit under the auspices of the UN and the Council of Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. I am convinced that you will closely follow the events in our country and will make a significant contribution to strengthening the potential of mutual cooperation. We pursue an open market economy and welcome foreign investment. Kazakhstan maintains close contacts with major international financial institutions and organizations," the Head of State noted.
Upon completion of the ceremony, Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev wished success to the new ambassadors and conveyed warm greetings to the leaders of their countries
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The President receives Retno Marsudi, the UN Secretary-General`s Special Envoy on Water
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They discussed the global and regional water agenda. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that water resources are a strategic asset for Kazakhstan, closely tied to sustainable growth, long-term regional stability and security, akorda.kz reports.
He underlined the need for a stronger international framework for cooperation in water governance.
In this regard, the President recalled his initiative to establish the International Water Organization under the auspices of the UN.
According to him, this step would give new momentum to global efforts to ensure the rational use of water resources, strengthen international coordination, and promote sustainable solutions to water-related challenges.
On the sidelines of the upcoming Regional Environmental Summit in Astana, the first round of international consultations will begin to discuss possible terms and prospects for creating this new body.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Retno Marsudi also emphasized the importance of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, which is expected to serve as a key platform for developing coordinated approaches to water-related issues.
Special attention was also paid to the rational use of water resources in Central Asia.
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President orders active tourism development at Alakol and Balkhash
Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has received Governor of Zhetysu region Beibit Issabayev, Qazinform News Agency learned from the Akorda press service.
The President was briefed about the region’s socio-economic development and plans for the upcoming period.
According to Beibit Issabayev, in 2025, the region had achieved all basic target indicators, with 610 billion tenge in investments attracted, which is 12.8% more compared to the previous year.
Issabayev also presented the region’s agro-industrial complex development plans. The sown areas of agricultural crops, including sugar beet, have been expanded. Work is underway to double the capacity of the Aksu and Koksu sugar plants to 950,000 tons.
By 2027, the regшon plans to implement 23 investment projects worth 94.4 billion tenge. These include the construction of poultry farms, feed yards, fish farms, greenhouses, and other facilities.
In the past three years, the region has commissioned 29 new industrial facilities and expanded seven existing productions, having created 1,841 jobs.
The Governor also reported on infrastructure development. He said that gasification in the region had reached 67.2%. The construction of the Taldykorgan-Usharal gas pipeline has been completed, enabling to supply gas to 210 settlements with more than 650,000 residents.
Work continues to expand the region’s tourism potential. Issues of road construction, drinking water supply, electricity, and sewage disposal in tourist zones along the shores of Alakol and Balkhash lakes have been addressed. Shoreline reinforcement has begun, and reconstruction of 31 kilometers of road leading to the Burkhan-Bulak waterfall is underway.
Under the Taza Qazaqstan ecological campaign, three eco-parks will be built and 121,000 seedlings will be planted.
The President gave a number of instructions on ensuring effective operations at the Dostyk border checkpoint and the Khorgos SEZ on the border with China, as well as on the active development of mountain tourism and recreation areas at Alakol and Balkhash.
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President Tokayev outlines CSTO development proposals in talks with Secretary General
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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met on Monday with the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Taalatbek Masadykov, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing Akorda.
Taalatbek Masadykov briefed the Head of State on his work plans in his capacity as CSTO Secretary General. The discussions covered a wide range of issues across the organization's key areas of activity, including the ongoing work of its permanent bodies.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev put forward several proposals for the further development of the organization and emphasized Kazakhstan's commitment to strengthening cooperation within the CSTO framework.
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