Investment, Trade, Constructive Dialogue: Brussels Hosts Celebration of 30 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Kazakhstan and EU

Brussels, 27 February 2023 – The Mission of Kazakhstan to the European Union organized a reception in Brussels to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the EU, with the management and officials of the key EU institutions, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the business community, the academic and think tank institutions, non-governmental organisations and the media in attendance.

Yerbol Karashukeyev, Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, who had held talks the same day with European partners to promote Kazakhstan’s agricultural products to the EU markets, congratulated all those present on the occasion.

The Minister stressed that Kazakhstan and the EU are important partners both in political and economic spheres. The government of Kazakhstan and the European Commission intend to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.

Head of Kazakhstan’s Mission to the EU, Ambassador Margulan Baimukhan noted that, over the past three decades, Kazakhstan and the EU “have come a long way to build what we call today a solid partnership based on genuine friendship, mutual trust and respect.”

EU countries have traditionally been Kazakhstan’s largest trade partner and an essential source of foreign direct investment and transfer of new technologies. “In 1996, our trade turnover was about 1.6 billion US dollars. Last year it was around 39,9 billion US dollars, almost a 30-fold increase,’ the diplomat said, adding that  European companies have “invested into Kazakhstan’s economy more than 160 billion US dollars.”

The ambassador drew the guests’ attention to the high level of political dialogue between Astana and Brussels and emphasized 2022 saw a breakthrough in bilateral relations, as President of the European Council Charles Michel and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell paid official visits to Kazakhstan; the figures of foreign direct investment from European countries in Kazakh enterprises grew by 28 %, and specific initiatives in promising new areas of bilateral cooperation were launched. For example, following two meetings between Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the parties concluded a strategic partnership on raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen.

“In the spirit of [the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU], we look forward to further strengthening our relations in trade and investment, transport and logistics, transition to green economy, agriculture, climate change, sustainable energy and digital transition, as well as to further develop a respectful inter-parliamentary dialogue,” Baimukhan said.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Michael Siebert, Managing Director of the European External Action Service, said Brussels also considered Astana as a key partner in the region and looked forward to strengthening relations on a wide range of issues. “Kazakhstan last year embarked on a big reforms process that will see [parliamentary] election soon [and recently saw presidential elections]. We have seen the vision of a just and fair Kazakhstan, which is more open, more democratic and more inclusive”, he emphasised. “We stand on your side to accompany you in this endeavour and whenever useful we’ll be at your side to advance this kind of societal and political reform and modernization effort”, the official added.

On the margins of the event, the Embassy organized a thematic exposition of photographs and paintings, copies of old maps reflecting the cultural and historical links between Kazakhstan and Europe, as well as products of Kazakh designers and artisans from the Almaty-based QazaqOner centre of handicrafts. Traditionally, guests had the opportunity to taste national cuisine and exchange in a friendly atmosphere opinions and plans for the implementation of joint projects.

The Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union established diplomatic relations on 2 February 1993. The parties maintain high-level political dialogue; various aspects of bilateral cooperation in 29 areas are stipulated in the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force in 2020. This is the first such “second generation” document signed by the EU with a Central Asian country. By the end of 2022, Kazakh exports to the EU markets reached $32.3 billion, which is 43.4 % of total exports from Kazakhstan. Imports from EU countries amounted to $7.6 billion. The inflow of foreign direct investment from European companies into Kazakh enterprises in the first half of 2022 amounted to US$14.5 billion.