During the meeting, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participants discussed the current state and future of economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. Issues of EU interaction with Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, were also addressed.
One of the key points of discussion was the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the "Middle Corridor." Participants analyzed the achievements made during meetings in Samarkand (April) and Tashkent (November), including the launch of new regional projects in logistics, digital technologies, and the modernization of ports and highways.
The 22nd meeting of the Cooperation Council "Kazakhstan – European Union," chaired by Yerbek Kosherbayev and Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation.
The parties confirmed that economic ties play an important role in bilateral relations. The European Union remains Kazakhstan's main trading and investment partner: in 2024, trade turnover is expected to reach nearly 50 billion dollars, and the volume of European investments will exceed 200 billion dollars, with more than 4,000 companies with European capital operating in the country. Kazakhstan expressed interest in increasing its agricultural exports to the EU market and diversifying trade.
Additionally, issues of "green" and digital transformation were discussed, which could become important areas for cooperation, as well as the development of inter-parliamentary relations.
In the humanitarian sphere, the parties noted that negotiations on agreements related to the simplification of the visa regime for Kazakh citizens and readmission will begin on December 2 in Brussels, which should facilitate the expansion of academic, professional, and business contacts.
It was also emphasized that a historic decision was made at the first "Central Asia – EU" summit in April in Samarkand to elevate the level of regional format to strategic partnership.
In conclusion, the participants confirmed their readiness to further deepen political dialogue, expand trade and investment, strengthen transport connectivity, and develop humanitarian interaction.
