EU-Kazakhstan: Press release on the 23rd meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Astana

On 29 May, the European Union and Kazakhstan held the 23rd meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Astana, reaffirming their strong partnership and shared commitment to peace and the international rules-based order.

The meeting underscored the positive momentum in bilateral relations, building on the historic first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 4 April 2025, and on the visit of President of the European Council Antonio Costa to Kazakhstan on 4 December 2025.

The EU and Kazakhstan reaffirmed their commitment to continue close cooperation in the framework of the Enhanced Partnership Cooperation Agreement and to further deepen their partnership, including in key areas such as political dialogue and rule of law; economic and trade relations; energy and transport; critical raw materials as well as regional cooperation and security.

Both sides welcomed the progress made in negotiations for a Visa Facilitation Agreement and a Readmission Agreement. They also discussed growing cooperation in education, science, and civil society, highlighting the importance of people-to-people connections.

The EU and Kazakhstan also exchanged views on regional cooperation and recent international developments, including regarding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East. The EU acknowledged Kazakhstan’s measures to prevent that its territory is used for sanctions circumvention and will continue working in this regard.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Managing Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the European External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union, Audrone Perkauskiene and by Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Arman Issetov.