EditTokayev’s Brussels visit deepens Kazakhstan-EU strategic partnership
While relations between Kazakhstan and the EU are described as problem-free, the goal is to convert political commitments into concrete, large-scale projects
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded a high-level visit to Brussels on Tuesday, holding key meetings with European Union leaders and Belgian officials while participating in initiatives aimed at strengthening connectivity and economic ties. The visit underscores Kazakhstan’s ambition to elevate its decade-old partnership with the EU into a more dynamic phase focused on tangible projects, resilience, and mutual opportunities.
The centrepiece of the trip was Tokayev’s joint meeting with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Costa described Kazakhstan as a “strategic partner” for the EU, highlighting shared interests in energy security, transport corridors, and regional stability. An op-ed by Tokayev’s op-ed published in Euronews the day before, outlined three strategic goals: strengthening resilience, expanding all forms of connectivity, and creating new opportunities for citizens.
In his article, Tokayev noted that the EU is Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partner, with thousands of European companies active in the country. He stressed that in a world of geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and resurgent competition, Kazakhstan and the EU should move beyond the 2015 Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) toward deeper collaboration in critical areas.
Concrete outcomes and agreements
Four bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, signalling a shift from high-level pledges to implementation. These included an EU-Kazakhstan Aviation Agreement, a €150 million loan for Trans-Caspian road infrastructure, an Airbus deal involving 25 aircraft, and the establishment of a joint research laboratory on critical raw materials.
Von der Leyen highlighted the alignment with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to mobilise investment in sustainable infrastructure. Kazakhstan’s role as a key node in the Middle Corridor – an increasingly vital alternative trade route linking Europe and Asia – featured prominently in the talks.
Welcome to Brussels, dear President @TokayevKZ
Kazakhstan, and Central Asia as a whole, is a natural global gateway.
Today, we will discuss how Global Gateway can bring our regions closer together.
Turning a gateway into a pathway for jobs, opportunities and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/6jO0CgbXMY
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 23, 2026
On the same day, senior Kazakh officials, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Isetov, participated in the high-level launch of the EU’s Connectivity Agenda Platform. This new initiative brings together countries from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea region to promote cooperation in transport, energy, and digitalisation. Isetov emphasised Kazakhstan’s position as Central Asia’s largest economy and a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, reaffirming the country’s commitment to joint infrastructure and investment projects. The platform builds on a ministerial meeting held in Luxembourg in October 2025 and will coordinate with the existing Trans-Caspian International Transport Route platform.
Bilateral ties with Belgium and community engagement
Tokayev also met Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, describing the upcoming visit of King Philippe to Kazakhstan as a “historic” event – the first such royal visit in the history of bilateral relations. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in transport and logistics, critical minerals, petrochemicals, agriculture, manufacturing, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and finance. They also explored university and research partnerships in science and education. De Wever accepted an invitation to visit Kazakhstan.
In a more personal moment, Tokayev met with members of the Kazakh diaspora in Belgium – students, professionals, and community representatives. He congratulated them on Kazakhstan’s new Constitution, set to enter into force on 1 July, which prioritises education, science, innovation, and human rights. He encouraged the younger generation to contribute their knowledge and international experience to the country’s development.
From pledges to projects: the road ahead
While relations between Kazakhstan and the EU are described as problem-free and steadily deepening, both sides acknowledge the main challenge: converting political commitments into concrete, large-scale projects. Visa liberalisation is widely seen as a potential next milestone that could facilitate greater people-to-people contacts, academic mobility, and business ties.
Kazakhstan’s growing economic weight – with GDP reaching $306 billion in 2025 and projected to exceed $360 billion in 2026 – strengthens its hand as a partner. The country supplies nearly 13% of the EU’s petroleum oil imports and 16% of its natural uranium, and it is positioning itself as a reliable contributor to European food and energy security.
Tokayev’s visit also included participation in a Kazakhstan-EU business roundtable, where European executives explored investment opportunities. Officials from various Kazakh ministries attended parallel conferences and forums promoting sectoral cooperation.
A partnership for uncertain times
In his Euronews piece, Tokayev argued that geography and power are returning to the forefront of global affairs. Kazakhstan, located at the crossroads of continents, offers Europe a pragmatic, constructive partner committed to dialogue and the UN Charter. The EU, in turn, brings technology, investment, and expertise that can help Kazakhstan diversify its economy, advance digital governance, and develop high-value industries.
The visit sends a clear message: both sides are ready to raise the level of ambition. With the launch of the Connectivity Agenda Platform, new infrastructure financing tools, and a series of signed agreements, the focus now shifts to delivery – turning strategic alignment into visible results on the ground.
As Tokayev returns to Astana, the groundwork laid in Brussels positions Kazakhstan-EU relations for a more ambitious next decade, one defined not only by trade volumes but by shared resilience, connectivity, and tangible benefits for citizens on both sides.
Officials push Middle Corridor as strategic EU link ahead of Tokayev’s Brussels visit
Caption: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was greeted on 23 June 2026 by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. [Council Newsroom]
Updated: June 23, 2026 - 15:00
