The European Union and Kazakhstan have discussed at a meeting in Brussels the successful implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Asian country and the EU on strategic partnership in the field of sustainable raw materials, batteries and green hydrogen value chains and the roadmap for 2022-2024.
At the 8th meeting of the Subcommittee on Energy, Transport, Environment and Climate Change under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov who headed the delegation of Kazakh government agencies on March 5, representatives from the EU and Kazakhstan also discussed the expansion of cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources, hydrogen technologies and energy efficiency, as well as the development of transport.
EU International Partnerships Commissioner Jozef Síkela is expected to visit five Central Asian countries from March 12 to 18 to sign several contracts related to the main priority areas of Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) in Central Asia, including transport. The focus will be on the Middle Corridor, critical raw materials, digital connectivity, and the water, energy and climate sectors.
Following the meeting between EU and Kazakh representatives in Brussels on March 5, both parties agreed on concrete measures to implement joint initiatives and to mobilize investments in sustainable infrastructure, energy and environmental projects. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation, and stressed the importance of sharing experiences and best practices in the field of sustainable development.
Even though Kazakhstan has been a reliable partner of the European Union in the energy sector for many years, providing about 10 percent of its oil imports, Kazakhstan considers the EU as one of its key partners in the implementation of strategic initiatives on energy transition, Akkenzhenov said in his speech, calling for joint work on the creation of high-tech capacities, sustainable supply chains, the introduction of green technologies and attracting investments in projects of deep processing of raw materials, renewable energy and localization of production. The EU, which is the main trade and investment partner of Kazakhstan, accounts for about half of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade and accumulated foreign investments.
Kazakhstan’s recent accession to the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) Forum, which serves as a new platform for cooperation in the CRMs area, also broadened EU-Kazakhstan relations further.
Both EU and Kazakh officials stressed the importance of strengthening transport connectivity between Europe and Central Asia and welcomed the launch of the Coordination Platform for the Development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Aiming to simplify trade and cargo transit, EU and Kazakhstan also addressed issues related to the modernization of transport infrastructure, the introduction of digital solutions in logistics and the harmonization of standards.
Turning to green energy, the Kazakh representatives confirmed their intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and highly appreciated the Brussels’ support in the development of climate change adaptation projects in the country.
In the important issue of water resources, the Kazakh side expressed its readiness to deepen cooperation with the EU, introduce advanced technologies, develop innovative approaches to water conservation and improve the water management system.
Kazakhstan is the first country in Central Asia to sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the EU, covering 29 areas of cooperation, including international and regional security, trade, investment, infrastructure development, innovation, culture, sports, and tourism.
More than 3,000 companies with European capital operate in Kazakhstan, including major multinational corporations such as Shell, Schneider, Eni, Total, Air Liquide, Alstom, and Siemens.
The next 9th meeting of the Kazakhstan–EU Subcommittee on Energy, Transport, Environment and Climate Change is scheduled to be held in Astana in 2026.
