BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. At the invitation
of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of
Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh will pay a state visit to the
country on April 20-23, 2026. High-level talks are expected to
provide additional momentum to the already established strategic
partnership.


In recent years, cooperation between Kazakhstan and Mongolia has
significantly intensified. A turning point came with Tokayev’s
visit to Ulaanbaatar in October, 2024, following which the Joint
Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership was
signed. At the same time, the sides concluded 11 agreements across
various sectors, ranging from transport and agriculture to
digitalization, energy, and culture.


Economic cooperation is also gaining pace. In 2025, bilateral
trade exceeded $133 million, almost tripling compared to previous
years. Kazakh exports accounted for $123 million, with more than
90% of shipments consisting not of raw materials but of finished
goods, including food products, industrial goods, and other
commodities. Both sides have set a broader target of increasing
trade turnover to $500 million. To this end, a 2025–2027 Road Map
is being implemented, aimed at expanding the range of goods and
reducing trade barriers. Additional opportunities may emerge from a
temporary trade agreement between the EAEU and Mongolia, covering
around 367 tariff lines. Its implementation is expected to
facilitate market access and further strengthen economic ties,
indicating a gradual shift toward a more stable and systemic
partnership.


Growing business engagement further confirms this trend. In
March 2026, Kazakhstan sent a business mission to Mongolia for the
first time in seven years. As a result, export contracts worth
$62.6 million were signed in Ulaanbaatar.


Particular attention is being paid to transport and logistics.
For both Kazakhstan and Mongolia, which are landlocked countries,
this is not only an economic issue but a strategic priority.
Kazakhstan offers its transit potential to facilitate Mongolia’s
access to the EAEU, the Caucasus, Türkiye, and the European Union
markets, including through the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (Middle Corridor).


Additionally, Ulaanbaatar and Astana are discussing a shortened
road transport route via Ust-Kamenogorsk, Ridder, and the Russian
settlement of Tuekta. If implemented, the route length could be
reduced from 1,604 km to approximately 837 km. The 189 km Kazakh
section has already been constructed, while part of the road is
planned for reconstruction. This would significantly reduce
delivery times and logistics costs.







Another practical step is the launch, starting June 2, 2026, of
direct flights on the “Astana - Ulaanbaatar - Astana” route, to be
operated by SCAT Airlines. This is expected to facilitate business
contacts and expand humanitarian ties.


At the same time, the broader geopolitical context remains
important. For a long time, Mongolia’s foreign economic relations
were largely oriented toward Russia and China. However, Ulaanbaatar
is now gradually seeking to diversify its external partnerships,
with Kazakhstan emerging as one of its key partners in this
process.


In addition, Tokayev supports the initiative to establish a
“Trans-Altai Dialogue,” which would bring together Kazakhstan,
Russia, China, and Mongolia. The initiative focuses on improving
transport connectivity and deepening economic cooperation across
this macro-region.


The upcoming visit of President Khurelsukh to Kazakhstan is
expected to consolidate previously reached agreements and translate
cooperation into a more practical framework. The main focus is
likely to be on implementing existing agreements, expanding trade,
and launching new logistics projects.


Overall, Kazakhstan–Mongolia relations are gradually moving from
political declarations toward substantive economic content. If
current dynamics continue, the goal of increasing trade turnover to
$500 million appears achievable in the medium term.