Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visit to Brussels 'important milestone'

The Kazak president’s visit to Brussels this week marked an “important milestone” in the country’s engagement with the European Union, a conference was told.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (pictured) made an official visit to Brussels earlier this week (23 June) and met with António Costa, president of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, his Commission counterpart.

Speaking about the visit in the EU parliament on Thursday (25 June), the Kazak ambassador to the EU said it comes at a time when relations between the two sides are “becoming increasingly strategic, practical, and forward-looking”.

Roman Vassilenko told MEPs his country is implementing a “profound process of constitutional and political modernization” initiated by its president.

A key milestone in this process was a nationwide referendum on 15 March which approved a new constitutional framework.

These reforms, said the ambassador, “strengthen the institutional architecture of the state, reinforce constitutional guarantees of rights and freedoms, and elevate principles such as law and order, accountability, and public dialogue to the highest legal level.”

This new constitutional model will enter into force next week (1 July) and, he told the packed meeting, provides a “more coherent and long-term foundation” for governance, enhances legal certainty, and “strengthens Kazakhstan’s predictability” as a partner for international cooperation, including with the 27-strong Union.

He told the Euro deputies, “It is precisely in this broader context of internal transformation and institutional strengthening that Kazakhstan’s relations with the EU are developing.”

“Domestic reforms,” he went on, “reinforce our external credibility, enhance transparency, and create a more stable framework for international cooperation.

He added, “The central conclusion we draw from the visit is straightforward: Kazakhstan and the EU are entering a more mature phase of strategic partnership.”

He highlighted several “key takeaways” from the visit in the political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions.

Political dimension

The visit demonstrated the “high level of trust and mutual respect” that now features relations between Astana and Brussels, asserted the ambassador.

During the president’s talks, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further deepen cooperation under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, he noted, adding, “We are seeing the emergence of a truly strategic dialogue.”

In Brussels, particular emphasis was placed on connectivity, energy security, resilient supply chains, critical raw materials, digital transformation, and new technologies.

The two sides also reaffirmed their support for peace, stability, effective multilateralism, and the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, he told the conference.

As President Tokayev mentioned in Brussel, we also value the EU’s continued engagement with Kazakhstan’s programme of political reforms, as well as the constructive dialogue on the rule of law, human rights, and good governance.”

Kazakhstan’s role for the Middle Corridor

One “particularly important” outcome of the discussions, said the diplomat, was the “shared recognition” of the strategic role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TCTC).

As the largest economy and territory in Central Asia, Kazakhstan “forms the backbone” of what is also known as the Middle Corridor which is emerging as one of the most “important and dynamic” transport routes between Asia and Europe.

 Over the past six years, cargo volumes transported via the TCTC increased fivefold, reaching approximately 4.1 mln tonnes annually, growth that, he argued, demonstrates the corridor’s increasing attractiveness for international trade and supply chains.

Container transportation is growing particularly rapidly. In 2025, around 77,000 TEU were transported along the Middle Corridor and Kazakhstan is working closely with international partners to further increase capacity and efficiency, with the objective of handling up to 300,000 TEU annually in the coming years.

He told MEPs that Kazakhstan is also strengthening its position as a regional logistics hub. Total container traffic across the country exceeded 2.2 million TEU in 2025.

To support such expansion, Kazakhstan is making substantial investments in transport infrastructure, including the modernization of railways, development of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, construction of new logistics facilities, and implementation of advanced digital solutions that reduce transit times and improve predictability for businesses.

“For Europe and Asia alike, Kazakhstan contributes to the development of secure, diversified and resilient supply chains,” said the ambassador at the event.

Economic dimension

The visit, said Vassilenko, also produced “substantial and highly tangible” results and political understanding between the two was being translated into “concrete economic outcomes”, noting that more than 30 commercial agreements were signed during the visit this week with a total value exceeding €12 billion (10.6 billion euros).

“This,” he told deputies, “is a significant result. It reflects confidence in Kazakhstan’s economy.”

Among other “practical and important” outcomes, he said, was an agreement between Air Astana and Airbus covering up to 50 A320neo/A321neo aircraft, valued at €7.145 billion, “serving as a tangible example of the deepening EU–Kazakhstan cooperation in aviation, innovation, connectivity, and private sector investment.”

As a result of the conference, four other agreements were concluded in the field of transport and logistics.

 The visit also confirmed “deeper engagement” with leading European financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

He also welcomed the opening of an EIB office in Astana in the near future, which would give “additional institutional momentum to our cooperation.”

Another major area of common interest is critical raw materials, added the ambassador, with both sides “committed” to advancing the Roadmap for the implementation of the Kazakhstan – EU Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials, Batteries and Renewable Hydrogen value chains.

“Our country,” he told the meeting, “possesses substantial reserves and sees strong potential for deeper cooperation with European partners not only in extraction, but also in processing, technology transfer, and the development of joint value chains.”

Humanitarian dimension

The president’s visit to Brussels also, it was said. highlighted the growing importance of people-to-people ties “as a pillar of Kazakhstan – EU relations.”

Kazakhstan “highly values” its cooperation with the EU’s Erasmus+, a programme which has created “meaningful opportunities” for students, academics, and universities.

“We attach similar importance to cooperation in the field of science, research, and innovation, including through Horizon Europe.”

On this, he said Kazakhstan hopes to assume the status of an associated country within the Horizon Europe programme which would support scientific exchange and strengthen innovation partnerships and connect Kazakhstan “even more closely” with the broader European research area.

Another important humanitarian outcome of the visit concerned mobility with the parties announcing the successful completion of discussions on the Visa Facilitation Agreement and the Readmission Agreement.

“This is a very positive development. It can facilitate travel, support academic exchange and business contacts and further strengthen ties between our citizens and institutions.”

The signing of the Horizontal Aviation Agreement during the visit is “equally significant” as this has the potential to broaden air connectivity, increase practical exchanges, and provide more opportunities for airlines and citizens on both sides, he told MEPs.

Under this deal any EU airline will be able to operate flights between Kazakhstan and any of the 17 EU member states that already have bilateral air services agreements with the landlocked country.

“Better connectivity is not only a technical matter. It is also a political and human one,” he declared.

The importance of implementation

The ambassador went on: “At the same time, we believe it is important to say with equal clarity that the next stage is now crucial. The true measure of success will be implementation.”

On this, he stressed that Kazakhstan counts on the support of all European institutions with the European Parliament “an important and valued partner”.

Concluding, he cited “two concrete examples”: the Horizontal Aviation Agreement and the future Visa Facilitation Agreement and Readmission Agreement.

The Kazakh side “sincerely hope” the procedures can be completed as “swiftly as possible” with support of the European Parliament “of particular importance.”

He told MEPs the Parliament’s “sustained interest” in Central Asia was welcome and he hopes this can be “deepened.”

Speaking separately about the presidential visit, a source at the EU council which represents EU member states, said, “The European Union recognised Kazakhstan’s ongoing political reform agenda and acknowledged the adoption of a new Constitution through a nationwide referendum in March 2026. 

The leaders welcomed continued dialogue on human rights, the rule of law and anti-corruption, including cooperation with the Venice Commission.”

The European Union "recognised Kazakhstan’s ongoing political reform agenda," said the Brussels-based source.

It also welcomed, he said, President Tokayev’s visit as a “strong signal of the growing strategic partnership between the European Union and Kazakhstan at a time of increasing geopolitical importance.”

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