Brussels, 19-20 May, 2025 – Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISI) Yerkin Tukumov held meetings with representatives of the European Union institutions and key think tanks in Brussels.

Meetings with the Deputy Managing Director of the European External Action Service Luc Devigne, Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the European Council for Central Asia, Ambassador Marilyn Josefson and Director General of the International Partnerships Department of the European Commission, Ambassador Peteris Ustubs focused on issues on the bilateral agenda, including strengthening political dialogue and economic cooperation, as well as preparations for upcoming joint events.

The parties discussed priority areas of cooperation, including transport and infrastructure projects, sustainable development, energy partnership and ensuring sustainable supply chains, development of regional cooperation in Central Asia, water issues, regional security and Afghanistan.

At the meetings mutual interest was expressed in further deepening cooperation in strategically important and promising areas, such as rare earth metals, green energy and the development of transport corridors, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

During the visit Yerkin Tukumov took part in a round table in the European Parliament on the topic «EU-Kazakhstan: education and culture - sustainable bridges of cooperation». During the panel session dedicated to issues of scientific and educational diplomacy, he noted the importance of promoting the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union through the implementation of joint initiatives, and also emphasized the role of analytical centers in shaping the long-term agenda of bilateral cooperation and strengthening humanitarian ties.

At meetings with the leadership of the Royal Institute of International Affairs «Egmont» and the Brussels Institute of Geopolitics, the parties exchanged views on the current geopolitical situation in the world, discussed the EU's foreign and domestic policies, bilateral interaction between Kazakhstan and the EU, cooperation in the EU-Central Asia format, as well as other issues of the international agenda.

Note: The European Union is the main trade and investment partner of Kazakhstan. The EU accounts for about half of Kazakhstan's foreign trade and accumulated foreign investment.

Trade turnover for 2024 amounted to $48.7 billion, exports - $38.1 billion, imports - $10.6 billion (+ 36.7%).

In 2024, the inflow of direct investment from EU countries amounted to $7.9 billion.

Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country to sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union (covering 29 areas of cooperation, including issues of international and regional security, trade, investment, infrastructure development, as well as innovation, culture, sports and tourism).

More than three thousand companies with European capital operate in Kazakhstan, including such transnational corporations as Shell, Sneider, Eni, Total, Air Liquide, Alstom, Siemens and others.

The Royal Institute of International Relations «Egmont» is a leading independent think tank in Belgium, founded in 1947 by several prominent Belgian politicians. Drawing on the expertise of its own academics and external experts, both Belgian and international, it provides in-depth and timely analysis of international developments. The Institute also serves as a venue for high-level meetings, including those of national importance, which gives it the opportunity to exchange views with experts from different countries and circles.

In turn, the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, founded in 2022, is a leading think tank in Belgium, fully focused on geopolitics and strategy. Created with the support of European leaders, the institute works closely with representatives of the public and private sectors, and has a deep knowledge of the EU with an understanding of the historical and cultural shifts shaping Europe. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the main international geopolitical processes.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-brussels/press/news/details/1000287?lang=kk