# Kazakhstan international diplomatic and connectivity efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kazakhstan-international-diplomatic-and-connectivity-efforts
> Updated: 2026-08-24T09:21:30.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

Kazakhstan has engaged in high-level diplomatic efforts to expand its international connectivity and strategic partnerships. 

In discussions with Pakistan, officials explored enhancing bilateral ties by positioning Pakistan as a maritime gateway for landlocked Kazakhstan. This includes improving land, air, and sea links to connect Kazakhstan to global markets via Pakistani seaports, alongside cooperation in trade, investment, and mineral resources. 

In a meeting in Islamabad, presidential spokesperson Murtaza Solangi and outgoing Kazakh Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin discussed strengthening these relations to promote regional peace and prosperity. Beyond maritime connectivity, the two nations explored expanding cooperation in health, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as opportunities for sports diplomacy in areas such as boxing and mountaineering.

Simultaneously, Kazakhstan has worked to strengthen its strategic partnership with the European Union. Following a visit to Brussels by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, discussions with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen focused on developing transport and logistics ties. The leaders adopted a joint statement to formalize cooperation, with Tokayev noting that bilateral relations have reached their “highest level in history.”

## Claims

- The new constitution replaced the bicameral system of Senate and Mazhilis with a single-chamber Kurultai. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Voter turnout for the election was 74.08%. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Five parties cleared the 5% threshold for parliamentary representation: Adilet, Auyl, Respublica, Ak Zhol, and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The Adilet party won 71.17% of the vote in Kazakhstan's first Kurultai election. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The new Kurultai parliament consists of 145 seats. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- OSCE monitors stated the election lacked political pluralism as all contesting parties supported the incumbent president. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Constitutional Court ruled that new amendments allow President Tokayev to seek another seven-year term in 2029. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The TURKPA observation mission concluded the elections were conducted in accordance with national legislation and international standards. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Adilet party wins landslide in Kazakhstan's first Kurultai elections

Kazakhstan's pro-government Adilet party won 71.17% of the vote in the first elections for the new unicameral Kurultai parliament, following a constitutional shift to a single-chamber system.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kazakhstan-and-eu-discuss-strengthening-strategic-partnership

### 2026-08-17: Pakistan and Kazakhstan discuss enhancing bilateral ties

Presidential spokesperson Murtaza Solangi met with outgoing Kazakh Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin to discuss enhancing bilateral ties, maritime connectivity, and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-and-kazakhstan-discuss-enhancing-bilateral-ties

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Cite as: Kazakhstan international diplomatic and connectivity efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kazakhstan-international-diplomatic-and-connectivity-efforts