As a country active in trade and economic cooperation, Kazakhstan has always developed constructive relations with other states. In this context, Astana attaches importance to regional and interregional connectivity and actively participates in international platforms. Thanks to this, Kazakhstan has achieved significant success in its foreign policy. Madrid is one of the capitals with which Astana pays attention to develop close relations.
Spain, one of the largest economies in Europe, is an important partner for Kazakhstan. The Spanish economy offers competitive products and services to the world. In order to increase its influence in international trade, Spain signs free trade agreements with states and engages in various investment initiatives through delegation meetings. In this context, the two countries are making efforts to improve their trade relations. Therefore, the volume of trade between the two sides has been growing steadily. This is because the parties desire to reach their potential in trade relations by utilizing opportunities pragmatically.
In fact, the two countries met for the first time on the occasion of a joint declaration signed in Moscow on February 11, 1992. In 1999, the two sides opened their embassies. In addition, a Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed in 2009.[1] Thus, diplomatic relations were further strengthened. This had a positive impact on economic and cultural relations.
Spain is one of the five largest trading partners of Kazakhstan among the European Union (EU) members in terms of trade volume. In January-October 2022, the trade volume between the two countries reached 2.2 billion dollars. In addition, in the period from 2005 to the second quarter of 2022, Kazakhstan attracted $287.6 million in foreign direct investment from Spain. As a matter of fact, 67 companies with Spanish capital are operating in Kazakhstan.[2]
On May 30, 2023, Astana hosted the 10th meeting of the Kazakh-Spanish Intergovernmental Joint Commission. The meeting was attended by Kairat Torebayev, Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and Xiana Margarida Méndez Bértolo, Minister of State for Trade of the Spanish Ministry. The meeting was also attended by high-level representatives from both countries. In this context, 150 companies from Kazakhstan and 35 companies from Spain took part in the negotiations.[3] Thus, the parties discussed opportunities for joint processes in different areas such as cooperation, agriculture, renewable energy, education, infrastructure, aviation, urban development and digitalization. In this context, Torebayev stated that Kazakhstan is ready to develop its foreign trade and aims to create conditions for direct communication between economic entities, more active participation in joint investment projects and expanding the range of goods, noting that Kazakhstan can supply more than 90 processed products to the Spanish market.[4] Bértolo pointed out that there are opportunities for cooperation in the development of public services such as waste water management, traffic and electricity.[5]
Therefore, this meeting is an important platform for the development of trade relations between the parties. In this framework, it can be foreseen that cooperation will develop in different fields in the future. Of course, commercial relations are also reflected in political relations. After each meeting, it is witnessed that the Kazakhstan-Spain strategic partnership is carried to a higher level.
As a result, Kazakhstan-Spain relations tend to expand and deepen. In this sense, there is a steady growth in trade relations. This is reflected in political relations and dynamism is shifting to the relations between the parties.
[1] “30 Years of Bilateral Relations Spain-Kazakhstan”, The Diplomat in Spain, https://thediplomatinspain.com/en/2022/04/30-years-of-bilateral-relations-spain-kazakhstan/, (Date of Accession: 05.06.2023).
[2] “Kazakhstan and Spain Aim to Deepen Strategic Partnership Further”, DKN World News, https://dknews.kz/en/articles-in-english/266310-kazakhstan-and-spain-aim-to-deepen-strategic, (Date of Accession: 05.06.2023)
[3] “Kazakhstan and Spain Forge Stronger Trade Ties, Opening Door to New Opportunities”, The Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2023/06/kazakhstan-and-spain-forge-stronger-trade-ties-opening-door-to-new-opportunities/, (Date of Accession: 05.06.2023)
[4] “Kazakhstan and Spain Forge Stronger Trade Ties, Opening Door to New Opportunities”, The Astana News, https://astanatimes.com/2023/06/kazakhstan-and-spain-forge-stronger-trade-ties-opening-door-to-new-opportunities/, (Date of Accession: 05.06.2023)
[5] Ibid.
