President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed the law ratifying the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, marking a significant step in elevating bilateral relations to a new strategic level.
The agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework for expanding trade, investment, and broader bilateral cooperation, while creating new opportunities for long-term collaboration across key sectors of mutual interest.
The law was approved by the Senate of Kazakhstan during a plenary session on April 16, following its earlier approval by the Mazhilis, the lower house of Parliament of Kazakhstan. With parliamentary procedures completed, the legislation was subsequently submitted to the President for final signature.
The agreement was originally signed in April 2024 in Astana, the Kazakh capital. Kazakh officials previously noted that the need for a new bilateral framework emerged following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union in early 2020, creating the need to update and strengthen the legal foundation of Kazakhstan-UK relations on a bilateral basis.
The agreement is aimed at deepening cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and other priority areas. It provides for the expansion of trade and investment ties, enhanced cooperation in security matters, and stronger engagement in scientific, technological, and humanitarian fields.
Under the agreement, both countries will pursue an effective political dialogue grounded in international law and shared values, with the goal of promoting international peace, stability, and security.
The document also establishes legal mechanisms for advancing cooperation in areas including entrepreneurship, customs relations, labour rights, justice, intellectual property, energy, investment, healthcare, and education.
In the cultural and humanitarian sphere, the agreement creates new opportunities for joint educational programs, the opening of branches of British universities in Kazakhstan, and expanded exchanges between students and academic staff. It also supports greater cooperation between museums and archives, as well as the organization of joint exhibitions and cultural festivals.
The ratification of the agreement reflects the growing momentum in Kazakhstan-UK relations and underscores both countries’ commitment to building a broader and more resilient long-term partnership.