During the March 13 visit of European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela, the European Union and Kazakhstan have taken important steps to deepen their cooperation under the Global Gateway strategy by signing key agreements to support sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan reported.
The Commissioner witnessed the signing ceremony of a EUR 3 million contract to boost cooperation between the EU and Central Asia in the critical raw materials area. The agreement, implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will facilitate the identification of joint projects and promote international best practices for sustainable and responsible supply chains in the CRM sector.
During his visit to Kazakhstan, Commissioner Síkela stated: “The EU and Kazakhstan are natural partners. Europe needs reliable access to critical raw materials, which are essential for modernizing our economy, and we are committed to advancing mutually beneficial cooperation with Kazakhstan on their extraction and development. This partnership will support all Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan’s economic growth, strengthen its industrial capacity, create new opportunities for Kazakh businesses, drive innovation, and generate high-quality jobs”.
Additionally, Commissioner Síkela and the Kazakh government witnessed the signature of a EUR 200 million framework loan agreement between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK). This loan will be supported by an EU guarantee of EUR 18 million. This funding will be instrumental in supporting investments in sustainable transport and renewable energy, in line with the objectives of the Global Gateway flagship programmes on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and the Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy, and Climate Change.
Commissioner Síkela emphasized: “The EU is committed to deepening its economic partnership with Kazakhstan through sustainable investments. This financing agreement will boost connectivity, enhance renewable energy infrastructure, and further integrate Kazakhstan into the Trans-Caspian Corridor, a key component of the Global Gateway strategy.”
The EU’s Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilise EUR 300 billion in public and private investments globally by 2027, supporting sustainable growth, enhancing digital, energy, and transport connectivity, and promoting stronger education and research systems.
