On May 27 2022 Kazakhstan and Estonia celebrate 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. Over the years both countries have been developing cooperation at all levels in political, economic and humanitarian spheres, a solid legal framework has been created.
Estonian Embassy in Kazakhstan was opened in 2011, Embassy of Kazakhstan in Tallinn was opened in 2019. The visits of President N. Nazarbayev (1994, 2011) to Estonia, Presidents L. Meri (1994) and A. Rüütel (2004), Prime Ministers A. Ansip (2009, 2012) and J. Ratas (2018) to Kazakhstan contributed to promotion of bilateral partnership.
Economic relations between the countries have certain potential. Bilateral trade indicators demonstrate positive dynamics, though they are still negatively affected by the crisis in the global economy – trade turnover in 2021 amounted to 18.8 million US dollars (30% higher than in 2020), 73 enterprises with Estonian capital are registered in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh-Estonian Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation contributes to the growth of these ties.
Cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is developing with a special emphasis on education. The Tallinn University, TalTech and University of Tartu are the most popular destinations among Kazakh students in Estonia. The Estonian School of Diplomacy has been providing high-quality training to young diplomats from Kazakhstan for some years, adding to the list two more students in 2021.
For decades Kazakhstan has been home for a small Estonian diaspora, in turn, a Kazakh cultural association works in Estonia nowadays. In 2020, the film “Ulbolsyn” by Kazakh director A. Yerzhanov was declared the “Best Asian Film” at the XXIV Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, contributing to mutual exploration of cultural values.
Both countries have gone through common story, sharing some tragic moments and valuing freedom. Last year the countries celebrated symbolic 30th anniversary, in 1991 Kazakhstan obtained its independence, while Estonia restored independent republic. In the 30 years of diplomatic relations, the countries established progressive cooperation on the principles of mutual respect. In a noteworthy trend, the countries aim for further widening of interaction and developing long-term partnership on bilateral and multilateral levels.
Nurlan Seitimov, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Estonia.
