TITR and Port of Bar network considered for new Eurasian transport link

The implementation of agreements reached during talks between the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Montenegro was reviewed during a meeting between President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov.

Today, you held productive and constructive talks with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. I am confident that your visit will open a new chapter in Kazakh-Montenegrin relations. The Government of Kazakhstan will oversee the implementation of all agreements reached at the highest level, said the Prime Minister.

In turn, the President of Montenegro said that the governments of both countries are working on a number of bilateral agreements that will create a solid legal foundation for further strengthening the partnership. 

These include documents in the areas of economic cooperation, justice, and digitalization. We highly appreciate Kazakhstan’s achievements in digital transformation and believe we can learn valuable lessons from your country’s experience in this field, noted Jakov Milatović.

It was noted that the current level of bilateral trade turnover does not fully reflect the existing potential for cooperation.

In line with the priorities identified by the presidents of both countries, special attention was given to promising projects in trade, transport and logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, tourism, and education.

In the agro-industrial sector, Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to export agricultural products to the Montenegrin market, including flour, wheat, oilseed crops, and value-added processed goods. The parties also discussed cooperation in agricultural science, seed production, biotechnology, livestock breeding, and other sustainable farming practices.

In the field of transport and logistics, Kazakhstan’s role as a major transit bridge between Europe and Asia was highlighted. Freight traffic along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) increased by more than 36% over the past year, reaching 77,000 TEU containers. Considering Montenegro’s strategically advantageous location and its role in providing access to the Adriatic Sea, the participants noted significant opportunities for expanding trade and investment ties.

In addition, the parties discussed linking the capacities of the TITR with the Port of Bar, which would create a new seamless multimodal corridor to Southern and Central Europe.

Attention was also given to prospects for cooperation in digitalization and artificial intelligence. Kazakhstan is among the global leaders in the digitalization of public services, with more than 90% of government services currently available online. There is substantial potential to expand partnership in digital transformation, AI, public administration, and innovation through the creation of joint GovTech and AI initiatives.

The Head of the Government of Kazakhstan informed the Montenegrin delegation about the country’s investment climate. Key measures include the updated Investment Policy Concept through 2030, enhanced investor protection through the Investment Headquarters and a specialized committee under the Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as the introduction of the new Altyn Visa special visa regime for foreign investors and highly qualified professionals.

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reaffirmed the Government’s readiness to ensure the practical implementation of all agreements reached during the high-level negotiations.

Earlier, Qazinform reported a meeting was held at the Majilis between Chairman Yerlan Koshanov and President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, who is visiting Kazakhstan on an official visit.