BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. On June 8-9, 2025,
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev will pay an official visit to
Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev.
This visit marks an important milestone in the growing
relationship between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria, which in recent years
has gained notable momentum, especially in the areas of trade and
energy.
Both countries have been working to redefine their bilateral
ties – moving beyond traditional diplomatic dialogue toward a
broader, multi-faceted partnership built around shared interests.
In the context of shifting geopolitics across Eurasia and the
search for new, reliable trade and transit routes between East and
West, Sofia and Astana increasingly see each other not just as
trading partners, but as strategic allies in building a new network
of transit and energy connections.
Economic cooperation has been accelerating. In 2024, mutual
trade grew nearly fourfold to $375.2 million, while Bulgarian
investments in Kazakhstan rose by 86.5% to $7.8 million. This
positive trend continued into the first quarter of 2025, with trade
turnover reaching $66.6 million – almost double the figure from the
same period last year.
Kazakhstan’s exports, in particular, have seen impressive
growth, with rising deliveries of propane and butane, aluminum, and
timber. Meanwhile, Bulgaria has expanded exports of
pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and industrial products.
Much of this progress has been driven by the Kazakh-Bulgarian
Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Its fifth
session, held in Sofia in May 2025, became a key platform for
discussing joint projects in industries such as manufacturing,
agriculture, transport, and investment. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of
National Economy highlighted promising areas for future
cooperation, including agricultural processing, logistics hub
development, and the creation of new industrial clusters.
The Bulgarian-Kazakh Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
established in 2024, has also played a crucial role in
strengthening ties between businesses in both countries. It brings
together companies from key sectors, including renewable energy and
agribusiness.
Transport and logistics remain a strategic focus. Both sides see
strong potential in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route
(TITR) – a corridor connecting China to Europe through Kazakhstan,
the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Türkiye.
Kazakhstan is investing heavily in modernizing its port
infrastructure, including the construction of a new container hub
in Aktau and a multifunctional terminal, Sarzha, at the Kuryk port.
Bulgaria, with its access to the Black Sea, is considering using
ports like Varna for transshipping Kazakh goods to EU markets.
Given its location, Bulgaria could play a key role in boosting the
efficiency of the Middle Corridor and strengthening its entire
supply chain.
Energy cooperation is also entering a new phase. High on the
agenda is a potential deal for Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas to acquire
LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas, Bulgaria’s largest petrochemical plant.
This would be a strategic move for Kazakhstan in expanding its
presence in the EU market while helping Bulgaria diversify its
energy supplies.
In 2024, Kazakhstan’s oil exports to Bulgaria hit record levels
– 417,900 tons valued at $244.2 million – and both countries are
eager to move beyond traditional raw material trade.
Another area of shared interest is the transnational “Green
Energy Corridor” project, aimed at exporting renewable energy from
Central Asia to Europe via Azerbaijan and the Black Sea. Bulgaria
is expected to become a key hub for receiving and distributing this
green energy within the EU, opening up exciting new opportunities
for energy collaboration.
President Radev’s visit to Kazakhstan is more than a diplomatic
formality – it’s a natural next step in a rapidly expanding
partnership. The two nations share a wide range of common
interests, from trade and investment to transport and energy.
Bulgaria could serve as a vital gateway for Kazakhstan to enter
European markets, while Kazakhstan offers Bulgaria access to
Central Asian resources and markets.
Both countries now have a real opportunity to shift from
isolated projects to a long-term, strategic partnership. With
political will and practical action, this could pave the way for a
new model of cooperation between Central Asia and the Balkans.
