The European Union considers Kazakhstan as a key partner in Central Asia

Vice-President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Kallas visited Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to discuss preparations for the first Central Asia–European Union summit to be held on April 3-4 in Samarkand. The focus is on issues of energy, transport corridors and climate change. The summit aims to define new vectors of cooperation between Brussels and the countries of the region. A number of documents are expected to be signed that will record the results of the development of relations in recent years and outline the future priorities of European policy in Central Asia.

The trip of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Kai Kallas, to the region began with a visit to Ashgabat, where she held the 20th meeting of ministers of Central Asian countries and the European Union, announced on March 4 (see NG dated 03.03.25). At the meeting, Kallas focused on the sanctions imposed against Russia. “The European Union has implemented 16 sets of sanctions and is currently working on the 17th package. I understand that these sanctions are damaging the economies of the countries of the region, but we cannot allow Russian companies to turn to Central Asia to circumvent them,” the EU High Representative warned the foreign ministers of the countries of the region. The ministers of the five Central Asian countries agreed to continue cooperation on this issue in order to avoid the re-export of high-priority goods.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of the EU–Central Asia roadmap, adopted in Luxembourg on October 23, 2023, focusing on five key areas of deepening cooperation. The Ministers reviewed the prospects for the development of trade, economic and investment ties, as well as the expansion of transport and digital connectivity within the framework of the Global Gateway strategy.

The meeting participants enthusiastically welcomed the statement by Kai Kallas on the readiness of European and international financial institutions to invest 10 billion euros in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TMTM). These funds are intended to create a multimodal, competitive, sustainable, predictable, smart and efficient transport network that will significantly improve connectivity between Central Asia and Europe. This EU initiative, initially presented a year ago at the Central Asia–European Union summit in Tashkent with the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and the heads of State of the region, assumed the allocation of these funds in the form of a loan (see NG dated 08.04.24).

“The upcoming summit should take stock of the development of relations between Brussels and the Central Asian states in recent years and outline new guidelines for European policy. In turn, the interest of Central Asian countries in attracting foreign investors is explained by the lack of their own personnel, equipment and investments, which are necessary for the development of national economies. This situation suits Brussels, which expects to consolidate the countries of Central Asia in the orbit of its influence, assigning them the role of a supplier of natural resources, including rare earth metals,” said Sergey Zhiltsov, Doctor of Political Sciences, Head of the Department of Political Science and Political Philosophy at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Kaya Kallas also held talks with the Presidents of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed the country’s interest in developing multilateral cooperation with the European Union. Special attention was paid to the prospects for the development of the North–South and East–West transport corridors, which, in his opinion, can become a reliable bridge for expanding trade and economic cooperation on the Eurasian continent.

Kallas noted that the European Union, being the largest investor in the region, plans to expand cooperation in various areas, including youth exchanges, business contacts and academic cooperation. In addition, the EU confirmed its support for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

Kaya Kallas discussed preparations for the Central Asia–European Union summit with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, paying special attention to the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, green energy and Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to developing mutually beneficial cooperation, focusing on key areas such as trade and logistics, including unlocking the potential of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, digitalization, transition to green energy, environmental protection and infrastructure modernization.

During the meeting with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kaya Kallas discussed issues of cooperation, paying special attention to the implementation of major projects aimed at the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Kazakhstan, as noted by the AU High Representative, became the first country in the region to sign an Extended Partnership Agreement with the EU, which indicates a high level of bilateral relations. In addition, the procedure for simplifying the visa regime between the European Union and Kazakhstan has begun, which, according to Tokayev, is perceived very positively in the country and opens up wide opportunities for strengthening contacts and business ties with European countries.

In an interview with Silk Way TV channel, Kaya Kallas stressed that the European Union considers Kazakhstan as a key partner in Central Asia and intends to expand cooperation in such important areas as energy, trade, environmental sustainability and education. The EU is interested in access to the raw materials needed for a green and digital transition. Kallas also noted the importance of diversifying energy supplies for Kazakhstan, which previously depended on Russian resources.