ASTANA – Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is set to visit Almaty on March 28, 2025, to engage in discussions with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu. This visit will follow the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan gathered to discuss pressing regional issues.
The ministerial meeting, chaired by Kallas on March 27, aimed to lay the groundwork for the inaugural EU-Central Asia Summit scheduled for April 3-4, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This summit is expected to address a range of critical topics, including the ramifications of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and the need for enhanced transport and digital connectivity across the region.
According to the EU delegation to Uzbekistan, the agenda of the ministerial meeting included discussions on vital issues such as critical raw materials, energy and water resources, trade, and people-to-people contacts, as well as education and research initiatives. Kallas emphasized the importance of these discussions, stating that they reflect the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties with Central Asia.
Before her visit to Kazakhstan, Kallas will engage in bilateral talks with the Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, Raşit Meredov and Sirojiddin Muhriddin. She will also meet with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This series of meetings is part of her broader mission to enhance cooperation and collaboration between the EU and Central Asian nations.
During the ministerial meeting, Bakhtiyor Saidov, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister, remarked, "We had comprehensive discussions on pivotal topics aimed at promoting sustainable development across our nations." His statement underscores the collective commitment of the participating countries to work together for mutual benefit.
Following her discussions in Turkmenistan, Kallas will travel to Tashkent, where she will meet with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. These discussions are expected to further solidify the EU’s engagement with Uzbekistan, particularly in light of the upcoming summit.
Kallas’s visit to Kazakhstan is particularly significant as it comes at a time when the region is navigating the complexities of geopolitical tensions, especially those arising from the conflict in Ukraine. The EU aims to bolster its influence and presence in Central Asia, a region that has been increasingly important in global energy supply chains and trade routes.
The upcoming EU-Central Asia Summit is poised to be a landmark event, marking the first time leaders from the EU and Central Asia will gather to discuss their shared interests and strategic partnerships. This summit is expected to serve as a platform for fostering dialogue on various issues that impact the region, including economic cooperation, security, and environmental sustainability.
As Kallas prepares for her meetings in Almaty, the focus will be on how Kazakhstan and the EU can collaborate more effectively in addressing both regional challenges and opportunities. The discussions will likely touch upon Kazakhstan’s role in the EU’s broader strategy for Central Asia, particularly in terms of energy resources and trade.
In conclusion, Kaja Kallas’s visit to Central Asia signals the EU’s commitment to strengthening its relations with the region. With critical discussions on the horizon, the outcomes of these meetings could have significant implications for the future of EU-Central Asia relations.
