As President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev calls for faster construction of nuclear power plants, receives a ceremonial welcome from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and proposes declaring 2027 “the Year of Large-scale Construction” to develop public infrastructure nationwide, Qazinform News Agency presents its weekly review of Kazakhstan coverage in foreign media.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for a national uranium reserve and faster construction of two nuclear power plants in his annual state-of-the-nation address, Euronews reports. “I believe it is possible, and perhaps even necessary, to begin construction of the Balkhash NPP as early as next year,” he said, also urging an agreement to advance the Moyynkum project.
Tokayev described an electricity surplus as essential for digitalization and artificial intelligence, while criticizing costly winter electricity imports followed by cheap summer exports. He also urged Kazakhstan to capitalize on growing demand for overland transport.
“Kazakhstan must seize this historic opportunity to truly become a leading logistics hub for Eurasia,” he said. The Aral-Caspian Highway is expected to shorten the Trans-Caspian route by 1,000 kilometres, while the Bakty-Ayagoz railway will add a third crossing with China.
Tokayev designated next year as the Year of Nationwide Construction, prioritizing public infrastructure. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara before bilateral and delegation-level talks, Milliyet reports.
The ceremony included both countries’ national anthems and a 21-gun salute. Tokayev greeted the guard of honor with “Hello, soldiers.” According to Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications, the leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional and global issues.
Erdoğan said the two countries would strengthen their enhanced strategic partnership through further cooperation in trade, investment, energy, transport and the defense industry.