The geopolitical and economic advantages of the Trans-Caspian transport route studied in Brussels

The Trans-Caspian transport route as an important area of cooperation between the European Union and Kazakhstan was the focus of attention of the participants of the conference "EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership: opening new niches and dimensions". The conference took place in 2^nd October in European Parliament in Brussels.

More than 100 representatives of the European Commission, the European External Action Service and the European Parliament participated in the seminar.

The event was initiated by the largest group in the European Parliament, the European People's Party, namely its member, MEP Tomasz Zdechovsky from the Czech Republic.

The MEP headed the Delegation for the countries of Central Asia in the European Parliament (DCAS) and knows this region well, which importance is growing in the world today.

Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan Bolat Akchulakov and two members of the lower house of the Kazakhstan Mazhilis also arrived from Kazakhstan.

The moderator, Alberto Turkstra, an expert on Central Asia from the Diplomatic World Institute said that relations between Kazakhstan and the EU have evolved significantly in recent years.

«The geopolitical and economic advantages of the Trans-Caspian transport route reduce geopolitical risks and support the strategy of Western countries aimed at diversifying trade routes and expanding global connections.

The Republic of Kazakhstan is taking active measures to modernize and improve its logistics infrastructure aimed at increasing capacity (construction of new terminals, railway lines and stations, and the establishment of additional reception and storage points)," the expert noted.

Invited expert in the field of transport Leyla Batyrbekova stressed that the volume of goods transported along the Middle Corridor has increased significantly. Already in the first eight months of this year, transportation figures are 22 percent higher than in 2023, which indicates the demand for the corridor. At the same time, the participants of the event talked about the need for the European Union to expand investments in the project.

In his speech, Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan K.Tokayeva Bolat Akchulakov also focused on trade, economic and investment tracks. He noted the importance of cooperation with the EU within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, informed about Kazakhstan's provision of energy resources to European countries, joining the Partnership Forum on the Safety of Mineral Resources, the Global Commitment on Methane, as well as about Kazakhstan's interest in expanding cooperation in the field of the functioning of the European Union's Carbon Border Management Mechanism.

The organizer of the event, Tomas Zdechovsky, also believes that relations between the European Union and Kazakhstan have further growth potential. He stressed that Brussels is interested in increasing trade turnover with Kazakhstan. The development of connections between ordinary people.

In addition, T.Zdekhovsky believes that the upcoming referendum in Kazakhstan on the construction of a nuclear power plant (06 of October) is a sign of the democratization of local society.

"It is gratifying that important issues of the country's development are being resolved in the republic with the participation of society and ordinary people. Of course, holding a referendum on whether to build a new nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan or not is a positive fact," the MEP says.

Jerzy Oledzki, Member of the Foundation Council of the Michał Boym Institute for Asian and Global Studies, expert for Central Asia also confirmed that the importance of Kazakhstan and Central Asia in the world and for Europe is growing.

He stressed that the war in Ukraine has changed the supply chains of energy resources to Europe. In this context, Kazakhstan has become a significant alternative source of energy resources and rare earth metals for Europeans.

In addition, the European Parliament added that the new MEPs intend to visit Kazakhstan in October-November this year in order to strengthen inter-parliamentary ties.

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