The European Parliament hosted a high-level event titled "Kazakhstan-EU Strategic Partnership: Unlocking New Opportunities and Directions," jointly organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Belgium and the European Parliament, DKnews.kz reports.
The event commenced with the screening of two videos, "Kazakhstan Born Bold" and "Travel to Kazakhstan," which showcased Kazakhstan’s key achievements and potential. The session was officially opened by co-organizer Tomáš Zdechovský, Member of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic and former Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia (DCAS).
In his address, Bulat Akchulakov, Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan, underscored the critical importance of reinforcing and expanding cooperation with the EU, particularly in the oil and gas, energy, and transport sectors, alongside trade, economic, and investment collaboration. He highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic role in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, its significant contributions to Europe’s energy security, its participation in the Partnership for Critical Minerals Security Forum, and its adherence to the Global Methane Pledge. Mr. Akchulakov further emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in deepening cooperation on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Margulan Baimukhan, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the EU, noted that following the recent European Parliament elections and new appointments to the European Commission, Kazakhstan and the EU are entering a new phase of their strategic partnership. This phase, he said, is aimed at achieving even greater milestones and setting new objectives. Mr. Baimukhan highlighted that the EU remains one of Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partners, with bilateral trade exceeding 41.4 billion dollars in 2023. He emphasized the robust nature of Kazakhstan-EU cooperation, reflected in the frequent high-level visits, including this year's visit by European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell, as well as by other senior EU officials last year.
Mr. Baimukhan also pointed to the need for continued collaboration with the EU on key areas, including the rule of law, human rights, trade and economic growth, critical raw materials, transportation, visa facilitation with EU countries, and climate change, including joint efforts under the UN’s climate initiatives.
The event also placed special focus on advancing regional cooperation with Central Asia, EU programs in the region, Kazakhstan’s ongoing political and economic reforms, and its international initiatives, such as the hosting of the 2026 UN Climate Summit and the establishment of a UN Sustainable Development Goals hub for Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Kazakh Parliamentarians Samat Nurtaza and Olzhas Kuspekov provided an update on the political, legislative, and constitutional reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. They underscored the importance of maintaining the tradition of annual meetings within the framework of the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, promoting inter-parliamentary cooperation with Central Asia, advancing gender equality, and strengthening collaboration with non-governmental organizations.
European Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, alongside Members of the European Parliament, reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as a key partner for the EU, particularly in the context of strong trade and investment ties. They emphasized the critical role of Central Asia in ensuring regional security amid a complex geopolitical environment. EU representatives reiterated their commitment to further enhancing cooperation with Kazakhstan across a wide array of issues, including the rule of law, human rights, transport, energy, the oil sector, technology and innovation, cybersecurity, technical assistance, food security, climate change, and the promotion of intercultural dialogue.
Luc Devigne, Deputy Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service, highlighted the EU’s appreciation for Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in fostering connectivity between Europe and Asia, a key priority for the EU.
Representatives from the political, academic, and business communities in Brussels noted that this event marked one of the first major engagements in the European Parliament involving Members of the newly elected European Parliament. Both EU and Kazakh parliamentarians emphasized the necessity of enhancing cooperation between the EU's key institutions, Kazakhstan, and the broader Central Asian region for the mutual benefit of their nations and citizens.
