President Tokayev Discloses Priority Areas of Kazakhstan for Deepening Co-Op with EU

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The side meeting of the Central Asia-EU summit focused on Kazakhstan-EU cooperation prospects in economy, digitalization and innovation, hailing the start of procedures for visa facilitation agreements, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted that the European Union-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement remains the basis for multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.

The Head of State announced the four priority areas of Kazakhstan for deepening cooperation with Europe, including energy, major infrastructure and industrial projects, transport and logistics network expansion as well as digital innovations, advance technologies and AI.

In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of transport and logistics projects, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, as well as commended the discovery of a large rare earth metals deposit in Kazakhstan.

The interlocutors agreed on continued work within C5+EU dialogue as well as discussed the ongoing issues of regional and international agenda.