Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met EU leaders in Brussels on 23 June 2026, sealing agreements on aviation, transport financing, and visa facilitation as part of a deepening strategic partnership. The visit, hosted by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, produced a €7.145 billion aircraft deal between Air Astana and Airbus for up to 50 A320neo-family jets, a €150 million European Investment Bank loan for transport connectivity, and the conclusion of negotiator-level talks on visa facilitation and readmission accords.
The leaders reaffirmed the EU's role as Kazakhstan's top trade and investment partner and agreed to strengthen cooperation under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which marked its tenth anniversary in 2025. They highlighted the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and the EU's Global Gateway strategy for Central Asia as frameworks for joint work on critical raw materials, energy, transport, digitalisation and emerging technologies. A roadmap for the EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials, Batteries and Renewable Hydrogen value chains will be advanced, while Kazakhstan's role as a major oil and uranium supplier to Europe was recognised alongside potential for renewable and civil nuclear energy cooperation.
The European Investment Bank's €150 million transport connectivity agreement and an EBRD memorandum to develop an internationally accredited chemical-analytical laboratory in Kazakhstan were signed under a Team Europe approach. The opening of an EIB office in Astana, foreseen in the 2025 EU-Central Asia Summit declaration, was encouraged. The Horizontal Aviation Agreement was also signed, complementing the Air Astana-Airbus deal.
On the political front, the EU acknowledged Kazakhstan's adoption of a new constitution via a March 2026 nationwide referendum and welcomed continued dialogue on human rights, rule of law and anti-corruption, including cooperation with the Venice Commission and TAIEX/Twinning programmes. The leaders reaffirmed commitment to UN Charter principles, effective multilateralism, and the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime, with the EU taking note of Kazakhstan's initiative to establish a UN International Water Organization.
The visit upgraded EU-Central Asia relations to a strategic partnership, building on outcomes of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana in April 2026. The leaders emphasised stronger regional cooperation for shared prosperity, resilience, and sustainable development.
The aviation deal benefits Airbus and Air Astana with a major order, while EU and Kazakh consumers gain from improved connectivity. The EIB and EBRD agreements support infrastructure firms and logistics operators along the Trans-Caspian route. Kazakh political reformers see EU backing for constitutional changes, though human rights groups may watch implementation closely. EU critical raw materials importers gain supply diversification, while European energy importers secure continued oil and uranium flows.