Armenia and Kazakhstan have upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership following top-level talks today in Astana between  Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The decision was clinched in a joint statement and described as the start of a new phase in cooperation between the two Eurasian partners.

During Pashinyan’s official visit to Kazakhstan the two sides exchanged fifteen intergovernmental and interagency documents.

Pashinyan’s office reports they include a trade and economic roadmap for 2026–2030, the protection of classified information, land for diplomatic missions, cooperation in industry, agriculture, healthcare, science, education, digitalization, and the peaceful use of atomic energy,

Other agreements were reached for cooperation between the countries’ national museums, libraries, and film institutions. A Kazakhstan–Armenia Business Council was also created to bring companies into the process.

Tokayev said that an open and trusting political dialogue has been established between Astana and Yerevan at all levels.

Pashinyan stressed that the key result of this visit is the development of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

The Armenian prime minister remarked that on this basis, the parties will give a new impetus to the further development of relations in all directions: a high level of political dialogue, a deepening level of economic cooperation, and, of course, cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is also taking on new manifestations.

“Today, one of the streets in Astana was named after the author of Armenian letters, Saint Mesrop Mashtots. We also perceive this as a manifestation of respect for the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia,” said Pashinyan.

Tokayev, according to his office, said that Kazakhstan has a special interest in the state of Armenia and its people.