As part of the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in the city of Cholpon-Ata, a collective meeting of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov with the heads of delegations of the EMPS member states took place.

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov conveyed warm words of greeting and best wishes to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. It was noted that the trusting political dialogue between the leaders of the two countries contributes to the further development of allied relations based on trust and mutual understanding. Over the past 5 years, Kazakh-Kyrgyz trade turnover has doubled, reaching $2.2 billion. Work is underway at the government level to increase trade volumes.

At the EMPS meeting in an expanded format, issues of further development of the EAEU internal market, deepening of sectoral integration, expansion of digital interaction, improvement of financial and economic mechanisms, and coordination of joint work of the member states were considered. Reports of the Eurasian Economic Commission on the agenda items were heard, including digitalization of freight railway transportation and transport corridors, electronic trade, cooperation in the climate sphere, and others.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan emphasized that under the leadership of the Head of State, a course toward the development of a Just and Progressive Kazakhstan based on openness and constructive partnership with all countries is being consistently implemented. The country’s new Constitution provides for large-scale institutional reforms that, among other things, create favorable conditions for strengthening investor confidence, modernizing the economy, and expanding international interaction.

Olzhas Bektenov noted that in the face of external challenges, strengthening economic cooperation is of key importance. In 2025, trade turnover within the EAEU amounted to $95 billion. This year, its growth is projected at 7.3%, to $102 billion.

Among the priority areas of the EMPS work are the development of digital trade mechanisms, the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies within the functioning of the EAEU integrated information system, and the improvement of mechanisms for access of food products to the member states.

In the food industry, the growth of Kazakhstan’s export potential was noted. According to the results of 2025, the volume of supplies of products of animal and plant origin, as well as finished food products, amounted to about $7 billion. For January–May of the current year, this indicator reached $3.6 billion. At the same time, taking into account appeals from business representatives regarding obstacles arising in the supply of poultry meat and dairy products to the markets of partner countries, the Kazakh side emphasized the advisability of systematically conducting comprehensive monitoring of the conditions for access of food products to the member states for their compliance with obligations within the EAEU. A consistent and objective approach to resolving emerging situations and the timely adoption of measures to remove obstacles will provide a serious impetus to the development of mutual trade.

In addition, the importance of digitalization in achieving the goals of sustainable development of national economies was highlighted. In May of this year in Astana, the heads of the member states signed a Joint Statement on the Responsible Development of Artificial Intelligence within the EAEU, aimed at strengthening cooperation and exchanging best practices in this area. In Kazakhstan, digital transformation has been defined as one of the strategic priorities of the country’s development.

“2026 has been officially declared by the President of Kazakhstan as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Among the most significant areas of the nationwide Digital Qazaqstan strategy is the creation of a ‘Data Center Valley’ in the city of Ekibastuz. The project will make it possible to form digital infrastructure of an international level and strengthen Kazakhstan’s position as one of the digital hubs of Eurasia. The launch of the first 125 MW of computing capacity is scheduled for June of next year. We invite all interested parties, including representatives of business circles and technology companies, to actively participate in the implementation of this initiative,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized. Kazakhstan is open to exchanging experience and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

During the meeting, speeches were also delivered by the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Belarus, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, from the observer states at the EAEU – the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Cuba, as well as the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

Following the results of the EMPS meeting, six documents were signed. Among them is the Agreement on Electronic Trade in Goods in the EAEU, the implementation of which will contribute to the active development of electronic commerce, the expansion of opportunities for business, and the formation of more favorable conditions for participants’ access to the markets of partners. In addition, an agreement on the mutual recognition of documents on academic titles in the member states of the Union was adopted, as well as a number of orders on issues of further development of cooperation.

The next meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will take place on October 1–2 in the city of Minsk (Belarus).

#Olzhas Bektenov #Digitalization #International Cooperation #Trade and economic cooperation

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