Kazakhstan–Poland relations

Kazakhstan–Poland relations refer to bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Poland. Relations focus on growing trade and politicial cooperation. Both countries are members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, World Trade Organization and United Nations.

History
Poland and Kazakhstan have a shared history rooted in the mass deportation of ethnic Poles to the former Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union. Following the joint German-Soviet invasion of Poland, which started World War II in 1939, the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic was one of the destinations for the deportations of Poles from Soviet-occupied eastern Poland. After the Sikorski–Mayski agreement, Polish diplomatic posts were established Almaty, Semey, Shymkent, Kostanay, Astana, Pavlodar and Petropavl in 1941–1942. In early 1942, a portion of the Polish Anders' Army along with civilians was relocated to southern Kazakhstan, whereas the remainder was moved to the Uzbek and Kyrgyz SSRs. The 1st Uhlan Regiment, the 8th Infantry Division and 10th Infantry Division were stationed in Otar, Shokpak and Lugovoy, respectively. The Poles suffered from epidemics and famine and many died. In 1942, the army with many civilians was evacuated to Iran. As of 1943, there were still nearly 77,000 Polish citizens in Kazakhstan, according to Soviet data. After the war, over 62,000 Poles were repatriated from the Kazakh SSR to Poland in 1946–1948.

Poland and Kazakhstan established formal diplomatic relations in 1992. A double tax avoidance agreement was signed between the countries in 1995. Several cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries, concerning economy (2006), tourism (2007), defense (2012), education (2014) and agriculture (2016).

State visits
Poland President Andrzej Duda hosted Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Poland in 2016 for the Polish - Kazakh Economic Forum. Polish presidents Kwaśniewski and Kaczyński visited Kazakhstan in 1999 and 2007 respectively.

Economic relations
Trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $2.2 billion in 2014. More than 200 Polish businesses are operating in Kazakhstan that have invested about $130 million in Kazakhstan operations. Both countries' foreign trade agencies together established the Polish-Kazakh Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation to build commercial ties between businesses.

Transport links
LOT Polish Airlines operates a service from Warsaw to Astana.

Diplomatic missions

 * Kazakhstan has an embassy in Warsaw.
 * Poland has an embassy in Astana and a consulate-general in Almaty.