Key facts
- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is visiting Brussels to strengthen strategic ties with the European Union.
- Kazakhstan aims to be a reliable supplier of energy and critical raw materials to the EU.
- The country seeks to expand cooperation in AI, logistics, and green technologies.
- European companies have invested around $210 billion in Kazakhstan, largely in the energy sector.
- Kazakhstan wants to partner with European firms on processing critical raw materials locally.
- Kazakhstan is the EU's third-largest provider of crude oil and plans to increase exports.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has commenced a strategic visit to Brussels, with the nation's ambassador to the EU, Roman Vassilenko, expressing a desire for significantly deeper ties with the 27-member bloc. The Central Asian nation seeks to position itself as a dependable supplier of energy and critical raw materials, while also highlighting opportunities in artificial intelligence, logistics, and green technologies.
Vassilenko stated in an exclusive interview with Euronews that Kazakhstan, situated strategically between Russia and China, wishes to strengthen its mutually beneficial relationship with the EU. He emphasized that while current engagement is substantial, there remains considerable potential for further growth, describing the EU as a key global strategic partner.
Trade and investment links have grown considerably, with European companies investing approximately $210 billion in Kazakhstan, predominantly in the energy sector. However, Vassilenko pointed to untapped potential in transport and logistics, critical raw materials, AI, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and finance. Kazakhstan is also actively promoting the Astana International Financial Centre, which currently hosts around 5,800 companies globally.
A significant focus of Kazakhstan's pitch to Europe is critical minerals. The country produces 21 of the 34 raw materials deemed strategic by the EU. Kazakhstan is keen to attract European investment not just for extraction but also for local processing and technology transfer. One such project, focused on producing graphite for electric vehicle batteries, has been designated a strategic initiative by the European Commission.
Energy security remains a central theme in EU-Kazakh relations, particularly as Europe seeks to diversify its energy sources away from Russia. Kazakhstan is already the EU's third-largest crude oil supplier, delivering about 65 million tonnes annually. The ambassador indicated that this figure could rise to approximately 100 million tonnes within four to five years, contingent on production levels and transportation infrastructure. Beyond oil, Kazakhstan plans to produce around 2 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually from 2030, potentially becoming a future clean energy supplier.