Ambassador calls for 'speeding up' of co-operation between EU and Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium, the EU and NATO, H.E. Roman Vassilenko, has urged the European Union to accelerate progress on key areas of co-operation — from connectivity and infrastructure to energy security and raw materials — saying both sides must “keep up the momentum” as the partnership reaches a pivotal stage.

Speaking in Brussels, Ambassador Vassilenko said that while the relationship is strong and expanding — particularly in areas such as trade, connectivity and strategic raw materials — long timelines and bureaucratic procedures are still slowing down delivery.

Connectivity: “The Hottest Issue” for EU–Kazakhstan Relations

The Ambassador placed connectivity at the top of the agenda, describing it as “one of the hottest issues” between Kazakhstan and the European Union. He said both sides should accelerate work on transport routes, logistics and cross-border infrastructure.

He recalled that an investor forum in Brussels two years earlier announced around €10 billion for feasibility studies and early-stage infrastructure planning across Central Asia. However, progress has been slower than hoped.
“Two years later, we are still in the early stages. Many additional considerations — technical, financial, and bureaucratic — have prolonged the timeline,” he said.

With shifting global dynamics and supply-chain vulnerabilities, the Ambassador argued that the EU and Kazakhstan must “move more quickly” to reinforce Eurasian connectivity, including the increasingly strategic trans-Caspian routes.

Energy and Raw Materials: Kazakhstan as a Strategic Supplier

Ambassador Vassilenko highlighted Kazakhstan’s longstanding role as a reliable energy supplier to Europe. He stated that Kazakhstan produces approximately 100 million tonnes of oil annually and exports most of it, with Europe remaining the largest destination market.

He also underlined the country’s importance in global nuclear-fuel and raw-materials supply chains. Kazakhstan is the world’s biggest uranium producer and, according to the Ambassador, meets “about 40 percent of global demand.” He added that Kazakhstan possesses “21 of the 34 elements classified by the EU as critical raw materials.”

Regional Co-operation: A Shared Vision for Central Asia

The Ambassador was optimistic about the future of regional integration.
“In our region, success is shared — and challenges are shared as well,” he said.

He noted that trade between the five Central Asian nations has grown significantly, increasing from €5 billion in 2018 to €11 billion today, reflecting strengthened economic ties and a more cohesive regional identity.

Looking Ahead: People-to-People Links and a More Technological Kazakhstan

Marking the 10-year anniversary of the EU–Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), Ambassador Vassilenko said the next decade will focus increasingly on skills, mobility, and innovation.

He predicted easier visa regimes, more student exchanges, strengthened academic co-operation, and the emergence of a more technologically advanced Kazakh economy. Greater digital alignment, regulatory co-operation and investment in human capital, he said, will enable Kazakhstan to play an even more central role in Eurasian–European relations.

“The European Union’s 27 member states represent both a challenge and an asset,” he added. “Reaching consensus takes time — but once the EU moves, it moves with real strength.”

A Partnership Poised for Its Next Stage

Despite frustrations regarding slow implementation in certain areas, the Ambassador said he remains confident that EU–Kazakhstan co-operation is entering a far more active and dynamic phase.

His call for “speeding up” co-operation signals a broader message: both sides recognise the growing strategic importance of their relationship — and now must work more efficiently to deliver shared objectives in connectivity, energy, raw materials, and regional stability.

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