Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović has completed the country’s first official state visit to Kazakhstan, with talks focused on tourism, trade, transport links and wider diplomatic ties. The trip ran from June 18 to 20, 2026, and marked the first visit by a Montenegrin head of state to Kazakhstan in the history of bilateral relations.
The visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s independence and 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Milatović held talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov in Astana.
Officials discussed the possibility of linking Montenegro’s Port of Bar with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, a cargo corridor connecting Europe and Asia. No formal agreement was announced, but both sides said closer cooperation could support a wider multimodal route between Central Asia and southern and central Europe.
Cargo volumes along the route rose by more than 36% over the past year, reaching 77,000 20-foot equivalent units, according to officials. Kazakhstan presented itself as a key hub along the corridor, while Montenegro’s position on the Adriatic coast was highlighted as a potential gateway for east-west freight links.
“Kazakhstan is an important partner in an area that increasingly connects Europe and Asia. That’s why we see this visit as an opportunity to open new doors for the Montenegrin economy, tourism, investments and development,” said Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro.
Milatović also said Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and that Montenegro should secure its rightful place in the country’s economic plans.
“You have played a vital role in advancing reforms in Montenegro and strengthening its position as a leading candidate for EU accession. We wish you success in achieving this strategic national goal,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan.
Tokayev also congratulated Montenegro on the 20th anniversary of its independence and noted the steady rise in Kazakh visitors travelling to the country, describing it as a sign of strengthening people-to-people ties. Montenegro hopes to achieve EU membership by 2028.
Tourism remained a central theme of the trip. Direct flights launched in 2021 have helped increase the number of Kazakh visitors to Montenegro, and Kazakh travellers can enter the country visa-free for up to 30 days between May and October.
Milatović travelled with a delegation of Montenegrin companies to boost business ties. At the Kazakhstan-Montenegro Business Forum, the two countries’ chambers of commerce signed a memorandum of understanding, and Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to offering a favourable investment climate for its Balkan partners.
Bilateral trade remained modest. Between January and April 2026, trade totalled 226,700 euros, an 81% drop on the same period the previous year, according to figures cited in the talks. A separate estimate from Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics put trade turnover for the same period at $256.5 million.
Digital cooperation also featured in the discussions. Officials said Kazakhstan has built a highly developed e-government system, with around 90% of public services available online, alongside a growing focus on artificial intelligence. Montenegro said it hopes to learn from that experience as both countries explore digital transformation.
Milatović said Montenegro plans to open a diplomatic mission in Astana to represent its interests across Central Asia. Kazakhstan has maintained a consulate general in Podgorica since 2024.
As part of the programme, Milatović, accompanied by his wife Milena Milatović, visited the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where the couple viewed the Hall of Stone Sculptures of the Great Steppe and the Gold Halls, home to the Golden Man artefact from the Issyk burial mound. Milatović also delivered a lecture and answered questions from students at Maqsut Narikbayev University during the visit.
Top Photo Credit: George Khelashvili / Shutterstock.com
