European funding into Kazakhstan surged by 23 p.c in 2023, totaling $12.5 billion, underscoring the deepening financial ties between the 2 areas. Latest discussions within the European Parliament highlighted the breadth of this strategic partnership.
Reflecting on a 30-year diplomatic journey, Bolat Akchulakov, Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan, emphasised the importance of this EU-Kazakstan milestone. “Just lately, we celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the institution of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union and good mutual curiosity in cooperation on a variety of bilateral and multilateral agenda objects,” he stated.
The financial relationship between Kazakhstan and the European Union has been a cornerstone of their partnership. Akchulakov highlighted the substantial European investments in Kazakhstan, stating, “As of the tip of 2023, the influx of European funding into Kazakhstan elevated by 23 p.c, totalling $12.5 billion. Of the $350 billion in international direct funding hooked up to Kazakhstan throughout its 30 years of independence, almost half originates from European sources.”
Jerzy Olędzki, a Member of the Basis Council of the Michal Boym Institute for Asian and International Research, and an skilled for Central Asia, offered additional insights into the financial cooperation, noting, “In 2023, the turnover was 4.2% greater than in 2022 and reached $36 billion. In flip, the worth of investments from the European Union elevated by 21% in 2022 in comparison with 2021, reaching a degree of over $11 billion.”
He additionally mentioned the diversification of investments, highlighting sectors corresponding to IT, transport companies, freight, mechanical, meals, and pharmaceutical industries. “Presently, such sectors are gaining significance. For instance, since 2022, the European Union export of advanced and technologically superior merchandise has elevated considerably,” Olędzki added.
Power cooperation
Power cooperation stays a pivotal facet of the EU-Kazakhstan partnership.
Akchulakov emphasised the strategic significance of the oil and gasoline sector, remarking, “As we speak, 80 p.c of Kazakhstan’s oil exports go to Europe and are made via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. We specific gratitude to the European Union for its assist and observe that it’s of paramount significance to keep up the off-sanction standing of the consortium, which corresponds to the financial pursuits of each Kazakhstan and the European Union.”
He additional defined the function of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in making certain steady vitality provides, stating, “Within the frequent curiosity, we’re relying on additional assist from the European Union to make sure long-term and steady provides via this strategically essential pipeline.”
Individuals-to-people change and cultural ties
Katarína Neveďalová, MEP and a proactive member of the Delegation for Central Asia (DECAS), shifted the main focus to the human facet of the partnership. She remarked, “Since I visited the area 15 years in the past for the primary time, I nonetheless consider that this area is a area to observe for all of the world, not just for us as Europeans, but in addition for everyone who is knowing how the world is evolving.”
Neveďalová praised Kazakhstan’s academic initiatives, saying, “I very very similar to the mission which the Kazakh authorities had years in the past, which was to review on the international universities and are available again to work for the nation. This can be a essential subject which we’re additionally attempting to assist right here within the European Union by way of our programmes like Erasmus.”
Neveďalová emphasised the area’s younger inhabitants and multilingualism, stating, “The area and Kazakhstan itself has a really younger inhabitants, which is a really large worth for Kazakhstan and for all of the folks within the area. We have now to know additionally that for all of us Europeans, and for many people, the folks in Kazakhstan are additionally naturally bilingual or much more multilingual.”
Transport and logistics
The transport and logistics sector is a important space of cooperation. Olędzki famous, “Kazakhstan’s investments within the improvement of transport and logistics have exceeded EUR 31 billion over the previous 15 years.” The EU is eager to strengthen Kazakhstan’s function within the new transport system, as evidenced by its invitation to the European Union International Gateway Challenge.
Environmental and local weather cooperation
Environmental and local weather cooperation have additionally turn into key areas of focus. Akchulakov highlighted Kazakhstan’s dedication to multilateral cooperation in accordance with the United Nations Constitution, remarking, “Our state is dedicated to multilateral cooperation in accordance with the United Nations Constitution and its ideas, actively taking part within the promotion of worldwide safety and stability.”
He additionally talked about Kazakhstan’s accession to the International Dedication on Methane, which confirms the nation’s dedication to international carbon improvement and affords vital alternatives for inexperienced funding.
Olędzki agreed, noting the growing significance of important uncooked supplies, environmental safety, and local weather change mitigation. “These areas have now turn into a precedence for each the European Union nations and Kazakhstan within the gentle of the growing detrimental results of local weather change felt in each Europe and Central Asia,” he stated.
Luc Delvigne, EEAS Deputy Managing Director, added, “The collaboration between Kazakhstan and the European Union is a testomony to what might be achieved when mutual pursuits and shared values align. This partnership not solely strengthens our financial ties but in addition fosters a deeper understanding and cooperation on international challenges.”
[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]