Brussels, 12 October 2026 - On the occasion of the state visit to Kazakhstan by Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, as well as the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Flag of Kazakhstan was raised for the first time at Brussels City Hall, located on the iconic Grand-Place.
Held with the support of the City of Brussels authorities and the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, this symbolic gesture underscored the friendship, mutual respect and growing partnership between the two countries.
Representatives of the Embassy of Kazakhstan, Kazakh students, members of the Kazakh community in Belgium, as well as tourists and visitors to the Belgian capital, gathered at the Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to mark the occasion.
Kazakh students dressed in traditional national costumes added a special touch to the celebration by organising a festive flash mob and presenting a musical performance. Guests also had the opportunity to discover Kazakh cultural traditions and sample traditional Kazakh delicacies.
“It is a great joy for us to see Kazakhstan’s flag being raised in the heart of Brussels. We study here, learn about Belgian culture and do our best to introduce our friends to Kazakhstan. Events like this bring our two countries even closer together,” said Nazgul Nurgali, head of the Qazaq Society in Belgium student organisation.
The raising of Kazakhstan’s National Flag at Brussels City Hall marked another significant milestone in the enduring friendship and strengthening relations between Kazakhstan and Belgium.
Brussels, 6 October 2026 – Ahead of the first-ever State Visit of His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians to Kazakhstan, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko met with Belgium’s Federal Minister for Mobility, Climate, Ecological Transition and Sustainable Development, Jean-Luc Crucke.
The sides discussed prospects for expanding Kazakhstan-Belgium cooperation in transport and logistics, renewable energy, industrial decarbonisation, critical raw materials, green technologies and sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) and to attracting advanced Belgian technologies and investment for the modernisation of Kazakhstan’s transport and energy infrastructure.
The Ambassador highlighted the considerable potential for deeper industrial and technological cooperation. Kazakhstan produces 21 of the 34 raw materials identified as critical by the European Union and is interested in moving from raw material exports towards deeper processing, technology transfer and the development of high-value-added production jointly with Belgian and European partners.
Particular attention was also given to the upcoming State Visit of the Belgian monarch to Kazakhstan, in which Minister Crucke is expected to participate. The sides expressed confidence that the visit would give additional impetus to practical cooperation and help identify new joint projects in areas falling within the Minister’s portfolio.
During the conversation, Jean-Luc Crucke warmly recalled his previous visit to Astana in 2019 in his capacity as Walloon Minister responsible for Budget, Finance, Airports and Sports Infrastructure, in connection with a football match between the national teams of Kazakhstan and Belgium. He particularly recalled his visit to the synagogue in the Kazakh capital and spoke positively about the atmosphere of interfaith harmony in the country. In this context, the Ambassador underlined the particular importance Kazakhstan traditionally attaches to strengthening interethnic and interfaith harmony.
The sides also discussed prospects for cooperation in ecology and environmental protection, including decarbonisation, the circular economy, the sustainable use of natural resources and the introduction of green technologies.
The meeting reaffirmed the mutual interest in further developing pragmatic and project-oriented cooperation between Kazakhstan and Belgium, combining economic growth and industrial modernisation with the achievement of climate objectives.
Antwerp, 29 September 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Belgian company Katoen Natie, where he familiarised himself with its activities in developing logistics infrastructure, including the storage, packaging, handling and distribution of various types of products, as well as the development of automated warehousing and distribution facilities.
During the visit, Ambassador Vassilenko met with Fernand Huts, Chairman and CEO of Katoen Natie, as well as other representatives of the company’s management. The sides discussed prospects for cooperation in logistics, warehousing infrastructure and multimodal transport.
The sides also discussed the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) and opportunities to apply Katoen Natie’s expertise in developing logistics hubs, multimodal terminals and modern warehousing facilities.
Background: Katoen Natie is one of Belgium’s largest privately owned family industrial and logistics groups, specialising in petrochemical and industrial logistics, warehousing and terminal operations, multimodal transport, automation and supply-chain engineering. The company operates in 30 countries, employs more than 18,000 people and has an annual turnover of around EUR 3.2 billion. The group’s owner and head, Fernand Huts, is among Belgium’s wealthiest entrepreneurs: according to Forbes, he ranks third among Belgian billionaires, with an estimated net worth of approximately USD 5.1 billion.
Aalst, 25 September 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko met with Jan Pieter De Nul, Chairman of the Board of the Belgian company Jan De Nul. The parties discussed the company’s ongoing projects in Kazakhstan and prospects for further cooperation in transport and port infrastructure, marine engineering, and the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor).
Particular attention was paid to Kazakhstan’s large-scale modernisation of transport infrastructure. The parties highlighted the growing role of the Middle Corridor in strengthening transport connectivity between Asia and Europe and discussed prospects for the further development of Caspian infrastructure. Particular attention was given to potential cooperation in dredging and hydraulic engineering, energy infrastructure and other promising projects.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation between Kazakhstan and Jan De Nul and pursuing new joint projects.
Background: Jan De Nul is one of Belgium’s largest family-owned engineering and construction groups, specialising in dredging, marine and port infrastructure, offshore energy and integrated engineering solutions. In 2025, the company recorded a turnover of EUR 4.24 billion, EBITDA of EUR 812 million and net profit of EUR 458 million. The company employs more than 9,000 people; in 2025, it implemented 298 projects in 31 countries, while its investments exceeded EUR 1 billion.
Antwerp, 22 September 2026 – As part of a working visit to the Province of Antwerp, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko held meetings with the leadership of the Antwerp-Waasland Chamber of Commerce (VOKA), the City of Antwerp, The Beacon innovation and technology hub, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The discussions focused on expanding trade and investment cooperation, developing the Middle Corridor, advancing digitalisation, and establishing direct links between the business and innovation ecosystems of Kazakhstan and Antwerp.
During the meeting with Luc Luwel, CEO of VOKA Antwerpen-Waasland, the parties discussed prospects for engaging companies from the region in projects in Kazakhstan in the fields of petrochemicals and the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, energy, logistics, advanced materials and the circular economy. It was noted that Antwerp’s industrial specialisation is well aligned with Kazakhstan’s priorities for industrial modernisation, the development of processing industries and the production of higher value-added goods.
Ahlers Logistics, Sarens and Jan De Nul were highlighted as successful examples of Belgian companies already implementing or developing projects in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh side invited VOKA to facilitate the engagement of new Antwerp-based companies, organise sector-specific business missions, and establish direct contacts with Kazakh partners and development institutions.
At Antwerp City Hall, during a meeting with Tom Verbelen, Director of External Relations and International Affairs, the parties explored opportunities for developing direct intermunicipal cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the digitalisation of public and municipal services, smart city technologies, artificial intelligence, urban mobility and sustainable development. The Kazakh side presented its experience in digital transformation, with around 90% of public services available online, as well as the development of fintech and digital solutions, including Kaspi.kz and biometric technologies.
At The Beacon innovation and technology hub, the Ambassador was introduced to Antwerp’s ecosystem of technology companies and start-ups. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, smart city and smart port solutions, industrial digitalisation, unmanned technologies and logistics. It was proposed to establish direct cooperation between The Beacon and Astana Hub, including start-up exchanges, technology matchmaking, joint acceleration programmes and pilot projects with the potential for subsequent scaling across Central Asia.
A separate focus of the visit was a meeting with Wim Dillen, International Development Manager at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The parties discussed the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) and the establishment of direct cooperation between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Kazakhstan’s ports of Aktau and Kuryk.
Practical areas proposed for cooperation included the exchange of expertise in port infrastructure management and digitalisation, multimodal logistics, smart-port technologies, decarbonisation and the training of port specialists. The parties also considered opportunities for Kazakh specialists to receive training at specialised centres in Antwerp, as well as the potential use of Antwerp as a European logistics and distribution hub for Kazakh metals, critical raw materials, petrochemical and agri-industrial products. Looking ahead, it was proposed to consider a framework cooperation document between the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Aktau and Kuryk.
The meetings also addressed the upcoming first State Visit of King Philippe of Belgium to Kazakhstan, scheduled for autumn 2026. Representatives of Antwerp’s business community were invited to participate in the Kazakhstan-Belgium Business Forum in Astana and to use the visit as an opportunity to establish new direct contacts with Kazakh companies and government institutions.
Following the visit, the parties confirmed their interest in moving from dialogue to concrete investment, technological and infrastructure projects, as well as in developing direct links between companies, ports, innovation hubs and municipal structures in Kazakhstan and Antwerp.
Background: The Province of Antwerp is one of Belgium’s and Europe’s major industrial, logistics and innovation centres. Its GDP amounted to approximately EUR 117.8 billion in 2024, representing around 19% of Belgium’s GDP (EUR 620.3 billion) and making the province one of the country’s largest economic centres. The regional economy specialises in port logistics, the chemical and petrochemical industries, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, advanced technologies and innovation. The VOKA Antwerpen-Waasland industrial network brings together around 300 manufacturing companies, including BASF, INEOS, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Atlas Copco, Katoen Natie, Indaver and Umicore.
Mons, 21 September 2026 – The University of Mons (UMONS) hosted a presentation of Kazakhstan’s “Kitap Oqityn Ult” (“Reading Nation”) project, aimed at promoting reading and fostering young people’s interest in knowledge, culture and national heritage.
The event was attended by Chantal Scoubeau, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, who will take office as Vice-Rector for Sustainable Development and Community Life in October, along with university faculty members and more than 40 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students. Participants were introduced to the main objectives of the nationwide reading marathon and its new Parasat track, which provides an opportunity to join the initiative outside the competitive format.
Jade Charpentier, a University of Mons student who had previously visited Kazakhstan, noted: “An initiative aimed at promoting reading among young people helps broaden horizons, discover new ideas and cultures, and see the world around us from a new perspective.”
The presentation was complemented by a programme introducing contemporary Kazakhstan, its national traditions and language. Aigerim Akkulova (Qazaq Centre) and Ainur Kassenova, members of the Kazakh community living in Mons, spoke about Kazakh customs and their place in society. Students from the Department of Post-Soviet Studies at the Faculty of Translation and Interpretation showed particular interest in the Kazakh language. During an interactive session, they learned commonly used words and expressions and spoke their first phrases in Kazakh. The students also expressed interest in continuing to study the Kazakh language and in the possibility of introducing a full-fledged Kazakh language course at the Faculty.
A performance by Belgian students Angelika and Xavier, who played two traditional Kazakh küy compositions on the dombra, attracted particular interest. They had previously completed a six-month internship in Almaty, where they became acquainted with the country’s culture and everyday life and began learning to play the Kazakh national instrument.
The presentation at the University of Mons broadened the project’s international audience and offered Belgian students another opportunity to discover Kazakhstan through literature, language and music.
Namur, 18 September 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko held a meeting with Minister-President of Wallonia, Minister of Finance, International Relations and Animal Welfare Adrien Dolimont.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Wallonia, with particular focus on industry, energy, transport and logistics, critical raw materials, innovation, digitalisation, as well as scientific and educational cooperation. It was noted that Wallonia’s advanced industrial, scientific and technological base complements Kazakhstan’s opportunities in industrial modernisation and investment attraction.
RomanVassilenko briefed his counterpart on the new stage of Kazakhstan’s political modernisation, the results of the elections to the unicameral Quryltai held on 23 August 2026 and the formation of the new Government. The parties also discussed preparations for the first State Visit of King Philippe to Kazakhstan in autumn 2026 and A.Dolimont’s participation in the official Belgian delegation.
Particular attention was paid to industrial cooperation. As a practical example, the parties highlighted cooperation between Belgian company John Cockerill and Qarmet on the construction of a new hot-dip galvanising and polymer-coating complex. They noted the potential for expanding cooperation in metallurgy, industrial engineering, automation, decarbonisation, renewable energy and hydrogen technologies.
In the transport and logistics sector, the parties considered opportunities to connect Wallonia’s infrastructure with the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor). They highlighted the launch by ASL Airlines Belgium on 16 June 2026 of a direct cargo service between Liège and Karaganda airports, operating five flights per week, which creates additional opportunities for developing freight connectivity between Kazakhstan, Asia and Europe.
The parties separately discussed prospects for cooperation in aerospace, artificial intelligence, digitalisation and Smart City technologies. The Kazakh side expressed interest in establishing direct links with Walloon technology companies, universities and research centres, including through joint research, specialist training and technology commercialisation.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in advancing Kazakhstan–Wallonia cooperation through concrete investment and technology projects, direct contacts between companies, universities and regional institutions, as well as reciprocal visits and joint business events.
Reference: Wallonia is one of Belgium’s three regions and comprises five provinces – Liège, Hainaut, Namur, Walloon Brabant and Luxembourg. The region’s GDP in 2024 amounted to approximately EUR 144 billion (23% of Belgium’s GDP). Key sectors include pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, metallurgy and mechanical engineering, chemicals and aerospace, energy, logistics, agri-food and digital technologies. R&D expenditure amounts to approximately 3.2% of GDP.
In 2024, Wallonia’s exports of goods amounted to approximately EUR 61.9 billion, with around 80% destined for European markets. Major exports include pharmaceuticals, food products, metals and metal products, chemicals, machinery and equipment. Major companies operating in the region include John Cockerill, FN Browning Group, GSK, UCB, Safran Aero Boosters, Sonaca and IBA.
Seraing – Herstal – Visé, 16 September 2026 – As part of his working visit to Wallonia, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko held meetings with the management of leading industrial companies FN Browning Group and John Cockerill, as well as with the authorities of the cities of Herstal and Visé.
In Seraing, Ambassador Vassilenko held talks with Jean-Luc Maurange, CEO of John Cockerill. During the meeting, he was introduced to the company’s history spanning more than a century and its technological solutions. The discussions covered prospects for cooperation in energy and infrastructure, renewable energy, green hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation, metallurgy and advanced industrial technologies. The Kazakh side expressed interest in expanding John Cockerill’s presence in Kazakhstan across various areas of its activities.
The successful cooperation between John Cockerill and Qarmet on the construction of a new hot-dip galvanising and polymer-coating complex was highlighted, along with the potential for the Belgian company’s participation in Kazakhstan’s renewable energy, hydrogen and conventional energy projects. In 2025, renewables accounted for around 7% of Kazakhstan’s electricity generation, with a strategic target of 15% by 2030.
In Herstal, Ambassador Vassilenko met with Mathieu Riquevert, Director for Sustainability and Government Affairs at FN Browning Group, and Mayor Frédéric Daerden. During the meeting, the Ambassador was introduced to the company’s history and its technological solutions.
In Visé, the Ambassador met with Acting Mayor Francis Thönissen. The parties discussed the development of direct municipal ties, cultural and sports exchanges, as well as the historical links between the Visé–Liège region and Kazakh cycling. The Kazakh side proposed considering the establishment of sister-city relations between Visé and cities in Kazakhstan, taking into account their industrial character and the potential for cooperation in urban transformation, industrial heritage, education, culture and sports.
The parties also discussed the possibility of organising a cycling event in 2027 to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Belgium. Visé holds a special place in cycling history: in 2012, the city served as the starting point of the Visé–Tournai stage of the Tour de France, while the Liège–Visé region has for many years been associated with the training of Kazakh professional cyclists.
Following the visit, the parties confirmed their interest in continuing practical dialogue with a focus on concrete industrial, energy, municipal and humanitarian projects.
Reference: Wallonia is one of Belgium’s three regions, comprising five provinces and a population of around 3.71 million. In 2024, the region’s GDP amounted to approximately EUR 144 billion, or around 23% of Belgium’s GDP; according to forecasts, it could reach EUR 155 billion in 2026. Wallonia has strong specialisations in industry, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy and logistics. The Province of Liège, which includes Herstal, Seraing and Visé, is one of the region’s key industrial and logistics centres, with major capabilities in metallurgy, engineering, defence, energy and advanced technologies, including John Cockerill and FN Browning Group.
Brussels, 15 September 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko met with Philippe Close, Mayor of the City of Brussels, to discuss new opportunities for cooperation between Astana and the Belgian capital.
The discussions covered a broad range of areas, including tourism, healthcare, education, culture and sport, sustainable urban development, and the exchange of expertise and best practices between the two city administrations.
“Brussels is the political heart of Europe and a major hub for international engagement. We are keen to develop practical ties between our capitals and pursue joint initiatives that bring tangible benefits to the people of both cities,” Ambassador Vassilenko said.
Mayor Close welcomed efforts to strengthen Kazakhstan’s cultural presence in Brussels and invited Kazakhstan to explore participating as a partner in one of the city’s flagship annual winter events, offering an opportunity to introduce a wider Brussels audience to Kazakhstan and its culture.
The two sides also exchanged views on new urban and community-based initiatives that could strengthen direct links between Astana and Brussels and foster closer people-to-people ties.
The meeting also touched upon the upcoming State Visit of King Philippe of Belgium to Kazakhstan, which is expected to mark an important milestone in bilateral relations and provide further momentum for practical cooperation.
The two sides reaffirmed their shared interest in deepening ties between Astana and Brussels and agreed to continue working together to advance the initiatives discussed.
Photo credit: City of Brussels