Astana, 23 December 2024 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilenko held a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan Aleska Simkic.

During the conversation, the parties noted the high dynamics of bilateral cooperation in the past year, noting with satisfaction both the numerous and regular high-level contacts, and a significant increase in trade turnover and investment activity. The interlocutors also ‘synchronised their watches’ on key issues of Kazakh-European cooperation, as well as substantially discussed the schedule of events for the next year.

Deputy Minister stressed the importance of further full and effective implementation of the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU and its member states, as well as the development of cooperation in the format ‘Central Asia - European Union’.

The interlocutors paid special attention to further deepening cooperation in promising areas such as transport and logistics, critical raw materials, climate and green energy.

In particular, the parties welcomed the progress achieved in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, including the launch of the Middle Corridor Coordination Platform. The intention to sign the Roadmap of Strategic Partnership in the field of critical minerals for 2025-2026 was noted in a positive vein.

Р. Vasilenko also emphasised the mutual importance of the early start of negotiations between Astana and Brussels on the Agreement on simplification of the EU visa regime for citizens of Kazakhstan. In this context, the importance of the initialed and about to be signed RK-EU Horizontal Aviation Agreement, designed to strengthen ties between the business community and citizens of our countries, was noted.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the positive dynamics of bilateral cooperation and agreed to step up interaction on issues of mutual interest.

The European Union is the main trade and investment partner of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Trade turnover for January-October this year totalled $41.2 billion, which is 23% more compared to the same period last year (exports from the Republic of Kazakhstan - $32.6 billion, imports to the Republic of Kazakhstan - $8.6 billion). In 2023, trade turnover increased by 3.5% to 41.4 billion USD. IN 2023, THE TRADE TURNOVER INCREASED BY 3.5 PER CENT TO 41.4 BILLION USD.

The volume of European investments in the economy of Kazakhstan since 2005 totalled 180 billion US dollars.

More than 3,000 companies with European participation operate in Kazakhstan.