{"id":232526,"date":"2026-06-22T23:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T21:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=232526"},"modified":"2026-06-23T18:02:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T16:02:44","slug":"kazakhstan-seeks-further-strengthen-ties-eu-brussels-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/kazakhstan-seeks-further-strengthen-ties-eu-brussels-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazakhstan seeks to further strengthen ties with EU at Brussels summit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brussels, Jun 22 (EFE).- Kazakhstan<\/strong> is seeking to deepen its relationship with the European Union<\/strong> during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev<\/strong>‘s visit to Brussels this week, where cooperation on critical raw materials, energy supplies and other strategic issues will be discussed as the EU looks to diversify suppliers.<\/p>\n

During his visit to Brussels on Monday and Tuesday, Tokayev is to meet with European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa<\/strong> on the 10th anniversary of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement<\/strong> between Kazakhstan and the EU, the first agreement of its kind signed between the bloc and a Central Asian country.<\/p>\n

Kazakhstan and the EU \u201chave come a long way with successful cooperation,\u201d Kazakh Ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko<\/strong> told EFE in an interview ahead of the visit. He said that both sides are working to \u201can even closer relationship, an even stronger relationship\u201d in new areas.<\/p>\n

Raw materials and energy<\/h3>\n

The Central Asian nation, one of the EU\u2019s main energy suppliers and its third-largest crude oil exporter, believes it has significant potential to provide green hydrogen<\/strong>\u2014one of the clean energy sources promoted by Brussels\u2014as well as critical raw materials, in line with the EU\u2019s objective of reducing its dependence on powers such as China.<\/p>\n

In this context, Kazakhstan is developing the so-called Middle Corridor<\/strong>, a multimodal transport and logistics network that will directly connect China and Southeast Asia with the EU. Its geopolitical importance lies in bypassing Russian territory\u2014affected by sanctions on Moscow\u2014as well as bottlenecks such as the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.<\/p>\n

The EU has invested around \u20ac12 billion in infrastructure projects across Central Asia, including the corridor, through its Global Gateway<\/strong> initiative, promoted by Brussels as a way to counter Beijing\u2019s growing influence in the region and around the world.<\/p>\n

From Kazakhstan\u2019s perspective, however, Global Gateway and China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative are both welcome and should not be viewed as competing projects but rather as initiatives that \u201ccomplement each other,\u201d Vassilenko said.<\/p>\n

\"BRUSSELS, <\/a>
BRUSSELS, 23\/06\/2026.- Kazakh Ambassador to Brussels Roman Vassilenko during an interview with EFE on Monday in Brussels. Kazakhstan is seeking to deepen its relationship with the European Union during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Brussels this week, where cooperation on critical raw materials, energy supplies and other strategic issues will be discussed as the EU looks to diversify suppliers. EFE\/Olatz Castrillo. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"BRUSSELS, <\/a>
BRUSSELS, 23\/06\/2026.- Kazakh Ambassador to Brussels Roman Vassilenko during an interview with EFE on Monday in Brussels. Kazakhstan is seeking to deepen its relationship with the European Union during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Brussels this week, where cooperation on critical raw materials, energy supplies and other strategic issues will be discussed as the EU looks to diversify suppliers. EFE\/Olatz Castrillo. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

European sanctions and dialogue with Moscow<\/h3>\n

The European Commission recently proposed its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, a new round of pressure measures that could affect companies based in Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n

Asked about the issue, Vassilenko, who also heads Kazakhstan\u2019s mission to the EU, stressed that although Astana has not joined the sanctions regime against Russia, it \u201cdoes not want its territory to be used to circumvent\u201d those measures.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a very robust, frank, open dialogue with the European Union\u201d on this matter, he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Regarding the war in Ukraine and ongoing contacts between various actors and Russia aimed at reaching a future peace agreement, the ambassador emphasized Kazakhstan\u2019s commitment to diplomacy. His nation is \u201cvery concerned\u201d about the conflict and its willingness to contribute to peace efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a country that maintains good relations with Russia, the European Union, the United States, and Ukraine.<\/strong> We can play a role if we are asked to contribute. And we have tried to keep all the channels of communication open. Indeed, there are conversations on this issue that take place between our president and global leaders,\u201d the Kazakh diplomat said.<\/p>\n

Human rights and political reforms<\/strong> in Kazakhstan will also be on the summit’s agenda. A new constitution, approved by 87% of voters in a referendum, is scheduled to enter into force on July 1.<\/p>\n

According to the diplomat, the reform aims to \u201crebalance powers between the presidency and parliament while placing the protection of human rights as the state\u2019s highest priority.\u201d He added that the measure \u201chas received a very constructive assessment\u201d from European partners. EFE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Brussels, Jun 22 (EFE).- Kazakhstan is seeking to deepen its relationship with the European Union during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev‘s visit to Brussels this week, where cooperation on critical raw materials, 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