Kazakhstan and the European Union Chart New Directions for Cooperation

Brussels, 15 May 2023 — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu made a working visit to Brussels and held talks with senior European Union officials to discuss the current agenda of bilateral and multilateral engagement and promising directions for its further development.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell warmly welcomed M. Nurtleu's first visit to the EU capital as head of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The diplomats reviewed the wide-ranging relationship between Astana and Brussels under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU. They noted the regular nature and increased momentum of political dialogue at the highest and high levels, and the notable growth in economic cooperation and European investment volumes.

The parties paid particular attention to discussing practical steps for developing cooperation in energy, transport and logistics, digitalisation, civil aviation, and the extraction and use of critical raw materials. Measures to strengthen cooperation in developing education and science, advanced technology and innovation were also considered.

M. Nurtleu gave his counterpart a detailed briefing on the comprehensive political and socio-economic reforms being carried out in the country under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

J. Borrell, for his part, stressed European diplomacy's firm resolve to further expand and strengthen cooperation with Astana through a number of concrete measures and projects that would match the significant untapped potential for cooperation. "We are closely following the modernisation of your country and support President Tokayev's large-scale political reforms aimed at building a Just Kazakhstan. This year the EU and Kazakhstan mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, during which we have laid a solid foundation for partnership," said the EU High Representative.

The two officials exchanged views on current issues on the international agenda, including regional security, engagement in Central Asia and the situation in Afghanistan. The parties also discussed measures to mitigate possible negative effects of European sanctions regimes on the Kazakh economy.

At the meeting with the European Council President's Chief Foreign Policy Adviser Simon Mordue, the Minister noted the productive visit of President Charles Michel to Astana in October 2022 and the success of his first meeting with the leaders of the Central Asian states. The two officials stressed that these events had given powerful momentum to further strengthening bilateral and interregional cooperation. The parties are working on preparing a second meeting in this format in the near future, intended to continue deepening Central Asia–EU interregional cooperation.

During the visit, which was held in a businesslike and constructive atmosphere, the Minister presented J. Borrell and S. Mordue with high state awards — the Order of "Dostyk," first and second class respectively — for their significant contribution to strengthening and developing cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU. Overall, M. Nurtleu's visit to the EU capital made it possible to outline priority areas of cooperation and discuss concrete measures and steps for further deepening relations between the parties.

The European Union is Kazakhstan's main trade and investment partner. The EU accounts for more than 30% of Kazakhstan's foreign trade and foreign investment.

By the end of 2022, trade turnover between the parties amounted to $39.9 billion, up 38% on the previous year. Exports amounted to $32.3 billion and imports to $7.6 billion.

At the same time, the volume of investment made by European companies in Kazakhstan in 2022 grew by 23% to reach $12.5 billion.

Source: gov.kz