Kazakhstan calls for raising relations with EU to new level

Astana, Oct 27 (EFE).- Kazakhstan wants to raise its relations with the European Union (EU) to a new level, Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Thursday when he welcomed European Council President Charles Michel.

“We consider his official visit to Kazakhstan as yet more proof of mutual interest in raising our relations to a new level,” the Kazakh leader said.

Tokayev emphasized that his country was the first in Central Asia to sign an enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU.

The Kazakh leader called the talks held with Michel “substantial” and “fruitful”.

“We have reached an agreement to continue our intensive political dialogue,” Tokayev said at a press conference.

According to the Kazakh president, the EU is one of the largest trading partners of the former Soviet republic.

Over the past three decades, Kazakhstan’s economy has attracted more than $160 billion in investments from the EU.

During the first eight months of 2022 alone, trade increased by 43% to $26 billion, he said.

AREAS OF COOPERATION

Tokayev highlighted the potential for cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU in areas such as transportation of critical raw materials and green energy, as well as the importance of developing international transport routes to secure global supply chains.

“This is especially important in the current geopolitical conditions,” he explained.

In turn, Michel stressed the relevance of joint work with Astana “at the regional level,” according to the Kazakh president’s office.

“Kazakhstan is an important partner of the EU, and an important player in the international arena and in the region,” he said.

Michel added that “close cooperation with Central Asian countries paves the way for ensuring the development and security of the region.”

In this regard, the European Council president stressed that Brussels’ sanctions against Moscow are not aimed at third countries.

However, he stressed the need for the existing restrictions “not to be evaded” with the help of third parties.

They also stressed the importance of a steady improvement in the Central Asian country’s business climate to ensure an environment conducive to attracting more EU investments to Kazakhstan.

Michel also attended the presentation of the project to build a green hydrogen production and distribution center in Mangystau province in the south of the country.

The German-Swedish Svevind Group plans to develop the project with a production capacity of 2 million tons of green hydrogen per year.

The initiative envisages the construction of a desalination plant with a capacity to process 255,000 cubic meters per day, a 40 GW renewable energy station (wind, solar) and 20 GW of water electrolysis technology for export and domestic consumption.