Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and European Council
President António Costa met on the sidelines of the Central Asia – European
Union summit in Samarkand to discuss prospects for further strengthening
multifaceted cooperation across various sectors of the economy. Notably, the EU
is Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, with trade reaching $50 billion last
year, accounting for 80% of the total trade between the European Union and
Central Asian countries. In a meeting with European Commission President Ursula
von der Leyen, Tokayev outlined four priority areas with significant potential
for deepening cooperation with Europe: energy, infrastructure projects,
expanding transport and logistics networks, and digital innovation. Both sides
also welcomed the initiation of procedures for an agreement to simplify the
visa issuance process between Kazakhstan and the European Commission. Von der
Leyen congratulated Tokayev on the discovery of a major rare earth metal
deposit in Kazakhstan. Additionally, Tokayev met with European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso, who provided an
update on the implementation of the green transition program, in which the financial
institution plans to invest €2 billion. The Head of State also met with Uzbek
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Tokayev expressed confidence that the summit
would contribute to the development of the region’s dialogue with the EU. The
presidents further noted the high dynamics of development of cooperation
between the countries.
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