EU and Kazakhstan Enhance Strategic Cooperation on Critical Raw Materials
Kazakhstan and the European Union have endorsed the 2025–2026 partnership roadmap during the inaugural EU-Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand. This roadmap strengthens their strategic cooperation in the fields of critical raw materials, batteries, and renewable hydrogen, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2022.
According to the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, the new roadmap outlines specific goals and areas of action, focusing on:
- Advanced cooperation in geological exploration
- Joint research and innovation across the raw materials value chain
- Development of training programs and enhancement of workforce skills
- Promotion of best practices and adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards
The roadmap also provides for the support of joint investment projects, including those identified as strategic under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. These projects will play a central role in strengthening integration between the EU and Kazakhstan.
EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleška Simkić stated that the roadmap represents a significant advancement in the bilateral partnership, demonstrating mutual commitment to sustainability and economic resilience.
This collaboration is part of the broader Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) and is already yielding tangible results. One notable example is the recently launched €3 million EU-funded project, implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), aimed at enhancing cooperation in the critical raw materials sector between the EU and Central Asia.
The initiative reinforces Kazakhstan’s growing role as a key strategic partner for the EU in securing sustainable and diversified sources of raw materials vital for the green and digital transitions.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
.jpg)
