A significant expert forum convened in Budapest to advance diplomatic and academic collaboration between Kazakhstan and Hungary, particularly within the broader framework of Turkic states engagement. The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hungary, working in concert with the Ludovika Center for Turkic Studies and the Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, organized the event under the thematic focus of “Connectivity and Cooperation: Hungary’s Strategic Engagement with the Turkic World.”
The gathering assembled a distinguished cohort of international actors, including Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of Organization of Turkic States (OTS) accredited to Budapest, officials from the OTS Representation Office in Hungary, and representatives from the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation alongside representatives from leading analytical institutions. This composition reflected the strategic importance attributed to the dialogue by both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The forum’s formal proceedings commenced with opening remarks delivered by key institutional and diplomatic figures. Mr. Pier Paolo Pigozzi, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at Ludovika University, set the intellectual context for the discussions. H.E. Abzal Saparbekuly, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Hungary, emphasized the diplomatic dimensions of the engagement, while Prof. Muhittin Şimşek, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Akhmet Yassawi University, underscored the educational commitment to the initiative. Ms. Liliana Śmiech, Director General for International Affairs at Ludovika, reinforced institutional positioning through a video message, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the coordination effort.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ludovika University and Akhmet Yassawi University marked a concrete outcome of the forum, establishing a formal framework for expanded academic cooperation and collaborative research initiatives. This institutional agreement signifies a commitment to sustained engagement beyond the immediate diplomatic occasion.
The substantive content of the forum was structured around two complementary panel discussions, each addressing critical dimensions of Kazakhstan-Hungary relations within the Turkic geopolitical context. The first panel, titled “Connectivity and Resilience: The Turkic World and Hungary in a Shared Regional Context,” directed analytical attention toward connectivity projects and Hungary’s evolving role within the broader Turkic sphere. Participants examined how regional connectivity initiatives—including energy corridors, trade routes, and transportation networks—position Hungary as a strategic actor in Eurasian dynamics while strengthening ties with OTS member states. The second panel, “Kazakhstan and Hungary: Building Sustainable Futures Through Strategic Partnership,” shifted focus to substantive dimensions of bilateral cooperation. The discussion encompassed economic partnership frameworks, innovation ecosystems, the green energy transition, and aligned development priorities. This thematic orientation reflects contemporary global imperatives regarding sustainability and technological advancement, areas where both nations recognize mutual opportunity.
Ambassador Saparbekuly, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strategic commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Hungary across multiple registers—both through direct bilateral mechanisms and within the institutional architecture of the Organization of Turkic States. He underscored the catalytic role of academic and expert dialogue in constructing the intellectual foundations for sustained strategic partnerships, recognizing that diplomatic engagement is reinforced when grounded in scholarly analysis and cross-institutional collaboration.
The Ambassador’s concluding remarks extended formal gratitude to all organizational partners, acknowledging their instrumental role in establishing this platform for enhanced cooperation. He emphasized the enduring value of continued collaboration across research, educational exchange, and diplomatic channels.
