Astana, 22 July 2024 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilenko received copies of credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Kazakhstan Luis Francisco Martinez.

During the conversation, the parties discussed the status and prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political, trade and economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as the schedule of upcoming high-level contacts. The sides expressed readiness to continue close co-operation in bilateral and multilateral formats.

Diplomats especially noted fruitful trade and economic relations due to the presence in the Kazakh market of such well-known Spanish companies as ‘Airbus Defence&Space’, ‘Maxam’, ‘Inditex’ and others. At the same time, the progress of development of a number of projects in Kazakhstan with the participation of Spanish enterprises ‘Xcalibur’ and ‘Técnicas Reunidas’ was discussed.

The Ambassador of Spain thanked for the warm welcome and noted that he is ready to make every effort to further strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries, the establishment of which this month celebrated exactly 15 years.

Р. Vasilenko congratulated the Ambassador on the recent triumph of the Spanish national team at the football Euro and wished him the same high achievements in the new diplomatic field. Taking into account that L.F. Martinez has previously worked in our country as deputy head of the Embassy of Spain, expressed confidence in his early adaptation and successful mission in Kazakhstan.

Spain is an important economic partner of Kazakhstan in the EU. According to Kazakhstani statistics, at the end of 2023 bilateral trade turnover totalled $2 billion (exports - $1.5 billion, imports - $500 million), for January-May 2024 - $702 million (exports - $422 million, imports - $280 million). From 2005 to 2023, the volume of investments from Spain to Kazakhstan totalled US$ 360 million. There are 67 legal entities registered in Kazakhstan with the participation of Spanish capital.