Full Breakdown
Kazakhstan President Tokayev’s Brussels Visit Aims to Deepen EU Strategic Partnership
6/23/2026, 11:24:22 PM
Core Event: Diplomatic Tour Focuses on Aviation, Raw Materials and the Middle Corridor
On 23 June 2026 President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Brussels, meeting EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council President António Costa and other officials. The agenda included signing agreements on aviation connectivity, critical raw materials, visa facilitation and the Middle Corridor transport project, signalling a deeper strategic partnership.
Background & Context: From Samarkand Summit to Global Gateway
The visit follows the 2025 EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand, where Kazakhstan and four neighbours pledged joint projects under the EPCA. The EU’s Global Gateway earmarks €12 billion for transport, digital, energy and raw-material initiatives.
Key Figures & Groups
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, ambassador Roman Vassilenko, Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev, Railways CEO Aldybergenov, Charlotte Adriaen (DG INTPA) and EBRD Managing Director Husseyin Ozhan were central to the talks.
Data & Statistics
EU investment in Kazakhstan is about $210 billion (€184 bn). The country provides 21 of the 34 raw materials listed in the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, and an EU-designated graphite plant will supply material for about 100,000 EV batteries annually. Oil exports to the EU are roughly 65 million tonnes annually, with a goal of 100 million tonnes within five years. The Middle Corridor has $50 billion in pledges, $40 billion already spent, modernising over 5,000 km of rail and cutting Xi’an-Georgia transit from 55 days to 18 days. Kazakhstan targets 2 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
Official Statements & Responses
EU officials called Kazakhstan an energy partner. Von der Leyen described it as a “global gateway” and pledged jobs and prosperity. Vassilenko stressed shifting from raw-material extraction to joint processing and technology transfer. EU representatives called the Middle Corridor a “global gateway flagship” and stressed the need for predictable, transparent transport conditions for investors. The Horizontal Aviation Agreement will improve air connectivity.
Why It Matters
The partnership helps Europe reduce reliance on Russian energy with Kazakh oil and future green-hydrogen supplies. The Middle Corridor offers a shorter, Russia-free route for Eurasian trade, boosting supply-chain resilience. Joint AI and digital-infrastructure projects, such as the Kazakhstan Data Center Valley, aim to embed advanced technologies in the EU-Kazakhstan economic link.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have done a lot, but we can do much more,” — Roman Vassilenko, Ambassador, Kazakhstan to the EU
- “Bussiness forum of Kazakstan in Brussels Euronews “It is ambitious task, to provide speedy, safe transport with maximum of transparency in tariffs and easy procedures.” — Aldybergenov, CEO, Kazakhstan Railways
- “Predictability is the key to investment.” — Husseyin Ozhan, Managing Director, EBRD Central Asia
- “President von der Leyen said: "Kazakhstan is a global gateway, and so is Central Asia.” — Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The source material presents consistent figures on investment levels, raw-material coverage and projected oil volumes; no contradictory data were identified.
What’s Next: Implementation Roadmap
The EU and Kazakhstan will ratify the visa-facilitation and readmission agreements, activate a €150 million loan for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, and continue upgrades of rail, Caspian-sea vessels and airports. Green-hydrogen production is slated for 2030, while AI and data-center projects progress under the Data Center Valley initiative.
