Kazakhstan’s Growing Engagement in the Balkans

Following years of insecurity and conflict, the Balkan nations find themselves at a critical stage of their development. Relative stability has enabled greater international investment to flow into key domestic industries, while the region’s fertile land and strategic position has led to an expanded role in global supply chains and geopolitics. This encouraging resurgence has led to greater ambitions for countries like Serbia and Croatia, but also increased diplomatic interest from ascending powers who now view the Balkans as an indispensable partner in this fast-evolving international system. 

One such power is Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia and a rapidly-emerging force on the world-stage. For the energy-rich nation, the Balkans have never been a major focal point of foreign policy, but as the country looks to strengthen its position as a bridge between East and West, the revitalization of Southeast Europe has presented a unique opportunity to diversify its trade routes, enhance energy cooperation, and expand its geopolitical influence in the region. As a result, Kazakhstan is now pursuing greater ties with several Balkan nations, with the aim of accessing new markets and boosting cross-border collaboration.

In February 2025, Kazakhstani senators held a meeting with members of Croatia’s parliament in Astana, setting ambitious goals for future economic cooperation between the two countries. Their major focus, according to reports, was on expanding trade, investment, and diplomatic relations between Astana and Zagreb. During this momentous visit, Croatia’s parliamentary delegation also met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister Vasilenko, who reaffirmed Astana’s commitment to deepening ties with Zagreb.

Croatia has already emerged as on Kazakhstan’s key partners in the Balkans, with trade turnover between the two countries amounting to $282 million in 2024. Unsurprisingly, energy accounts for a large majority of this exchange, as Kazakhstan continues  to supply large quantities of crude oil and petroleum products to the former Yugoslav republic. This collaborative relationship has carried into the private sector, as can be seen by the MoU signed between Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas and the operator of the Croatian oil pipeline system, Jadranski naftovod (JANAF). This agreement seeks to expand the volume of Kazakhstani oil that is exported to consumers in the Balkans and Eastern Europe via the Croatian Adria oil pipeline. 

Besides Croatia, Albania has also become a target for increased diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan, as was made evident by string of high-level gatherings between the two countries. During one such meeting in September 2023, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated: “We consider Albania as a very important partner in the Balkan Peninsula, and this is a crucial moment to achieve practical results in terms of our mutual cooperation.” As multi-ethnic and multi-religious countries, Kazakhstan and Albania share key cultural characteristics which provide strong foundations upon which Astana and Tirana can develop a strong diplomatic and economic relationship. 

A similar approach has also been taken with neighboring North Macedonia, where Kazakhstan opened its first embassy in 2024. This move has helped pave the way for improved dialogue between the two nations, as Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to North Macedonia Satybaldy Burshakov recently met with the Secretary General of the Cabinet of the President of North Macedonia, Gorgi Bozinov, to discuss bilateral cooperation between Astana and Skopje for 2025.

Consistent across all these diplomatic efforts and missions has been Kazakhstan’s firm commitment to mutually beneficial collaboration – a fundamental tenet of the country’s international strategy. As a rising middle power, Kazakhstan has emerged as an important advocate for cross-border cooperation and its impact on international stability and property, seeing this as the only path forward for both developed and developing nations. 

Nothing reflects this philosophy and commitment more than the Astana International Forum. Founded in 2023, the Forum has rapidly transformed into Central Asia’s leading platform for global leaders – both in the public and private sector – to collaborate on the world’s most pressing issues and align on the collective strategies needed to overcome such challenges. This year’s edition, taking place on May 29-30, will undoubtedly offer an invaluable opportunity for policymakers and business executives from the Balkans and beyond to form new partnerships with Kazakhstan, and contribute to this new era of multilateralism.  

As the Balkans navigate a defining period for their growth and development, embracing the power and potential of cross-border diplomacy will be critical. Important global players, such as Kazakhstan, are making concerted efforts to expand diplomatic and economic ties with the Eastern European states, and leaders across the region are expected to seize this opportunity for economic and political cooperation with both hands.

[Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan]

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.