At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok arrived in Astana for an official visit that underscored the strategic depth of Hungarian–Kazakh relations. Upon arrival at the presidential palace, Sulyok was greeted with full military honours before holding both private and plenary discussions with his Kazakh counterpart.
Talks covered a wide range of cooperation, including economic, cultural, and scientific fields. President Tokayev emphasized the importance of tightening bilateral relations, noting that the two countries are already working together on 20 joint projects, ranging from energy and nuclear cooperation to agriculture, logistics, and transport. He underlined that Hungary is seen as a key partner in Europe, particularly in Central Europe, for Kazakhstan’s strategic engagement.
President Sulyok echoed this sentiment, highlighting Hungary’s role as a European Union member state and pointing out that both nations are well placed to become hubs connecting Europe and Asia. ‘In today’s challenging global environment, east–west cooperation is more important than ever, from trade and energy diversification to the development of international transport corridors,’ he said, stressing Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in Central Asia.
In recognition of the strong partnership, President Tokayev awarded Sulyok the Order of Friendship, Kazakhstan’s highest state decoration. Accepting the honour, Sulyok praised Hungary’s innovative potential and the achievements of Hungarian scientists. He also underlined that Hungarian–Kazakh cooperation serves as a stable bridge between Central Asia and Central Europe.
The Hungarian president’s visit also included participation in one of Central Asia’s largest digital forums, where artificial intelligence was a central theme. Sulyok noted that Hungary has long fostered collaboration in AI through its national AI coalition, which brings together state, market, and academic actors.
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