Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on 23 June 2026, resulting in a joint statement that deepens the EU-Kazakhstan strategic partnership. The leaders signed a Horizontal Aviation Agreement, concluded negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission, and welcomed an Air Astana-Airbus deal worth €7.145 billion for up to 50 aircraft. The European Investment Bank signed a €150 million agreement for transport connectivity, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development agreed to support a national chemical-analytical laboratory in Kazakhstan.
The visit builds on the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which marked its 10th anniversary in 2025, and follows the upgrade of EU-Central Asia relations to a strategic partnership. The leaders highlighted the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and the EU's Global Gateway strategy for Central Asia, focusing on critical raw materials, energy, transport, digitalisation, and emerging technologies. They committed to advancing a roadmap for sustainable raw materials, batteries, and renewable hydrogen value chains, and recognised Kazakhstan's role as a key oil and uranium supplier to Europe, with potential for stronger cooperation in renewable and civil nuclear energy.
The EU acknowledged Kazakhstan's political reform agenda, including the adoption of a new constitution in March 2026, and welcomed continued dialogue on human rights, rule of law, and anti-corruption. The leaders reaffirmed commitment to climate action, green energy transition, and cooperation in education and research through Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. They also stressed support for multilateralism, conflict resolution, and nuclear non-proliferation, with the EU noting Kazakhstan's initiative to establish an International Water Organization within the UN system.
The agreements impact several stakeholders. EU and Kazakh businesses in aviation, transport, and raw materials gain new investment opportunities and supply chain resilience. EU consumers benefit from diversified energy and raw material sources, potentially stabilising prices. Kazakh citizens stand to gain from visa facilitation, educational exchanges, and infrastructure investment. EU taxpayers see their funds directed through EIB and EBRD projects, with expected returns in trade and geopolitical stability. The deals strengthen EU influence in Central Asia, countering rival powers, while Kazakhstan secures access to European markets and technology.