Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan

05/31/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/31/2023 07:01

Vice-President Šefčovič travels to Kazakstan to participate in Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress 2023 and strengthen the bilateral relationship

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Vice-President Šefčovič travels to Kazakstan to participate in Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress 2023 and strengthen the bilateral relationship

Tomorrow, 1st June, Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Maroš Šefčovič will travel to Kazakstan to follow-up on the implementation of the Strategic Partnership on raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogenwith Kazakhstanlaunched by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov in November 2022. The mission is a first step on practical implementation of the Strategic Partnership Roadmapendorsed via exchange of letters between President von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov on 17 May.

In line with Global Gateway, the European Commission and the Republic of Kazakhstan share a strong and clear commitment to intensify their mutual cooperation in strategic sectors, including strengthening energy security through the development of alternative energy supply routes; enhancing sustainable and secure digitalisation including digital sovereignty; improving transport connections; and transitioning to a green, sustainable, and climate-neutral economy that creates jobs for people.

Kazakhstan remains a key partner for the EU in the field of critical raw materials, given their crucial enabling role in successfully achieving the green and digital transition within and outside Europe.

In this context, the Vice-President will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Kazakhstan's national mining company Tau-Ken Samruk (TKS). The Vice-President will also sign a letter of intent reiterating EU's commitment to explore options for closer cooperation with the EBRD, inter aliain support of the EBRD-TKS MoU, and more broadly to deliver on the implementation of the strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen value chains between the EU and Kazakhstan, includingin the context of a future European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) guarantee agreement with the EBRD, still under negotiations.

On 2 June, Vice-President Šefčovič will deliver a keynote speech at the 13th International Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress (AMM2023), a global event in the mining and metallurgical industry, with worldwide recognition.

During the visit, the Vice-President will hold bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, the Minister of Industry, Marat Karabayev and the Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev. He will also meet with CEOs of EU and Kazakh businesses.

Vice-President Šefčovič will also make opening remarks at the Plenary Session "Achieving Carbon Neutrality: Regional Experience and Prospects", a conference part of the first EU-Kazakhstan Sustainable energy days. In this context, he will also announce the winners of the #Reels4SustainableEnergy contest and of a mural design competition among university students, young researchers and young professionals in the area of engineering, energy, environment and climate studies from all five Central Asian countries.

Press points, pictures and videos will be available on EbS, and live updates on the Vice-President'ssocial media channels.