Kazakhstan and European Union continue to strengthen co-operation, marking the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev met with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan Ambassador Aleška Simkić.

Prospects for further development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union as well as ways to strengthen interregional connectivity within the “Central Asia – EU” format were discussed during the meeting.

Minister Kosherbayev noted the high level of political dialogue and sustainable dynamics of bilateral engagement emphasizing the importance of consistent implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union signed ten years ago.

Both sides exchanged views on regional and international issues including the development of transport and logistics corridors, the green transition, digitalization, and the improvement of Kazakhstan’s business climate.

The European Union remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner and top investor, accounting for nearly 48 % of total FDI inflows and around 40 % of its foreign trade. By late 2024, bilateral trade reached USD 48.7 billion, a 16.9 % increase year-on-year, underscoring the resilience and depth of the partnership.

Over 3,000 European-affiliated enterprises now operate in Kazakhstan, spanning energy, manufacturing, finance, logistics, and digital technology — from Shell and TotalEnergies to Siemens, Airbus and Schneider Electric.

The EPCA’s chapters on trade facilitation, investment protection, intellectual property, and regulatory convergence have been instrumental in attracting this wave of investment, giving European firms confidence in Kazakhstan’s reform trajectory and legal environment.

Equally transformative has been Kazakhstan’s evolution in the energy partnership. Traditionally a major supplier of oil, gas and uranium, Kazakhstan is now emerging as a key partner in the EU’s green industrial transition, particularly through renewable energy, hydrogen production, and critical raw materials.

Ambassador Simkić underscored the solid and advanced nature of Kazakhstan-EU relations and emphasized the qualitatively enhanced character of the partnership. The European Union views Kazakhstan as an important partner in Central Asia and reaffirms its readiness to further strengthen cooperation in the interests of the country’s sustainable development.

Concluding the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and to maintaining an active dialogue through upcoming reciprocal visits and joint events.

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