Kazakhstan Secures $12 Billion in EU Trade and Energy Agreements

The summit concluded on June 23, with discussions centering on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, a vital component of the EU’s Global Gateway program. Tokayev held meetings with key figures, including European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and European Investment Bank Vice President Marek Mora, to solidify the partnership. Both parties committed to a roadmap focused on sustainable raw materials, battery production, and the development of green hydrogen value chains.

Energy security remains a primary driver for the EU as it seeks to decouple from Russian supplies. Brussels highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as a critical supplier of uranium and oil, noting the potential for future renewable energy collaboration. Recent discoveries of oil and natural gas reserves on the Ustyurt Plateau have sparked renewed speculation regarding a trans-Caspian pipeline, a project that could fundamentally alter the region's export logistics, currently reliant on Russian transit.

Beyond bilateral ties, Kazakhstan is emerging as a focal point for Western efforts to diversify mineral supply chains. The Orion Critical Mineral Consortium, backed by the US International Development Finance Corporation and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, is targeting Central Asia to secure copper, lithium, and rare earth elements. By aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled markets, this initiative reflects a broader push to reconfigure global resource accessibility over the next two decades.