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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held high-level talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who arrived in Kazakhstan on his first official visit. The meeting began with a formal welcoming ceremony at the Akorda residence in Astana, where both leaders introduced members of their delegations and honored the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Finland before proceeding to bilateral discussions. During the talks, President Tokayev emphasized the significance of the visit, calling it “a crucial and groundbreaking event” that would give new momentum to the partnership between the two countries. “Kazakhstan and Finland have strong traditions of friendship and cooperation. We have no unresolved issues, and the potential for investment and trade remains vast,” Tokayev said. “Finland is very popular in Kazakhstan, and your visit will open new opportunities for strengthening our partnership.” He also welcomed the Finnish business delegation participating in a Kazakhstan–Finland Business Forum held on the same day, expressing hope that it would inspire entrepreneurs from both nations to expand cooperation. President Stubb, in turn, thanked Tokayev for the warm reception and reflected on his long-standing relationship with Kazakhstan. “This is my third visit to Kazakhstan. We first met in 2008 when I was Minister of Foreign Affairs and you were Speaker of the Senate,” Stubb recalled. “Today, our focus is on enhancing bilateral relations and business cooperation, as well as addressing foreign policy and security issues of mutual interest.” The Finnish leader noted that his delegation included representatives of more than 20 leading Finnish companies and highlighted the growing presence of Finnish brands such as Isku and Honkarakenne in Astana. During extended talks involving both countries’ delegations, President Tokayev described Finland as Kazakhstan’s key trading partner in Northern Europe and within the European Union. He praised Finland’s global leadership in clean energy, technology, digital innovation, education, and governance, calling it “an inspiring example” for Kazakhstan. “We attach great importance to our friendship with Finland and are ready to implement existing agreements and develop new areas of cooperation,” Tokayev stated. The two presidents discussed expanding trade and investment ties, emphasizing the role of the Intergovernmental Commission as a key platform for business collaboration. Tokayev invited Finnish companies to take advantage of Kazakhstan’s favorable investment environment and its access to the broader Central Asian market. President Stubb reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to expanding its business presence in Kazakhstan, noting the country’s fast-paced development. “One of the members of my business delegation said that everything in Kazakhstan is happening very dynamically, so there's no room for sluggishness or bureaucratic practices. This is gratifying to hear, as our countries are on a path of active development,” he said. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, underscoring shared interests in maintaining stability, security, and constructive international cooperation. The visit marks a significant step in deepening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Finland, with both sides reaffirming their readiness to advance dialogue in trade, innovation, and global diplomacy.
