Cyprus and Kazakhstan seek joint projects in AI, space and research

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus and Kazakhstan are seeking to convert agreements signed during President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to Astana into joint projects in artificial intelligence, space technology and applied research, Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides said.

The next stage of cooperation was discussed at a meeting between Skourides and Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Cyprus, Nikolay Zhumakanov, at the Research and Innovation Foundation this week.

Agreements signed in Astana

Writing on his personal platform after the meeting, Skourides said the discussions built on foundations established during Christodoulides’ official visit to Kazakhstan in June 2026.

“The Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed in Astana created a framework for closer cooperation in education and science, information and communication technologies, e-government, space activities and cybersecurity,” he said.

The presidential visit was the first by a Cypriot president to Kazakhstan since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

Areas of cooperation

During talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana on June 3, the two sides signed agreements covering higher education and science, ICT, e-government, space activities and cybersecurity, as well as cooperation in other fields.

One memorandum, signed between Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, established a framework for cooperation in ICT, e-government, space and cybersecurity.

A separate agreement between the countries’ education ministries covers cooperation in higher and postgraduate education and science, creating another route for universities and researchers to work together.

Focus on implementation

Skourides said the focus was now shifting from agreements to implementation.

“The next step is to translate these commitments into practical cooperation,” he said.