Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between
the Holy See and the Republic of Kazakhstan

October 17, 2022 marks the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For the last three decades, the Holy See and the Kazakhstan developed friendly ties and a multifaceted cooperation, resting on strong bonds of mutual respect and shared priorities. Kazakhstan shares the global vision of the Catholic Church based on the ideals of goodness, justice, solidarity and compassion. The Catholic Church welcomes Kazakhstan’s role in fostering intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

In 1998, Kazakhstan was the first country in Central Asia to sign an Agreement on Mutual Relations with the Holy See. Based on that Agreement, the partnership between Holy See and Kazakhstan has been growing dynamically ever since. In 2001, Kazakhstan was the first country in Central Asia to be visited by Pope John Paul II.

Today, the Vatican and the Kazakhstan continue to work together. This is evidenced by the signing, during the official visit H.E. Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to the Vatican, held on May 30-31, 2022, of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University Medical Center of Kazakhstan and Bambino Gesù Hospital, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between the R.B. Suleimenov Institute of Eastern Studies and the Vatican Library. In addition, subject to the outcome of ongoing negotiations, the Holy See and the Government of Kazakhstan look forward to signing an Agreement on granting visas and residence permits to members of the Catholic Church.

The Holy See and the Republic of Kazakhstan agree that a culture of dialogue must be one of the basic values of the contemporary world. The continuation of peaceful coexistence in the face of contemporary challenges is achievable only through an inclusive and comprehensive dialogue. Therefore, Kazakhstan welcomes the decision of Pope Francis to attend the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, to be held in Nur-Sultan in September 2022, as agreed during the high-level talks between the President of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the Pope on April 11, 2022.

Both the Holy See and the Kazakhstan look forward to fruitful cooperation in the years ahead.

[00857-EN.01] [Original text: English]

[B0415-XX.01]