Kazakhstan and the European Union share a long-standing interest in stable, resilient and predictable supply chains that support economic growth and provide the technologies necessary for a cleaner future, writes Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in a commentary for Euronews.

This December marks 10 years since the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the European Union. This is a significant milestone that confirms our shared commitment to a broad and forward-looking partnership. Over the past decade, cooperation has expanded in the areas of political dialogue, security, investment, education and connectivity. With investments exceeding €200 billion since 2005, the EU is now Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partner.

Today, our partnership is shaped, as before, by a shared commitment to the UN Charter and its principles, as well as by a shared belief that many global challenges can only be addressed through deeper cooperation between Europe and its close and reliable partners. One of these challenges, which is essential for Europe’s long-term growth, is securing the materials and technologies necessary for the green and digital transformation. Europe’s dependence on a limited group of suppliers of critical raw materials has become a determining factor in its competitiveness.

Securing stable access to these inputs is no longer just an industrial issue, but a strategic priority. It is in this context that Kazakhstan can play a significant role. Kazakhstan is already part of the solution. The European Commission has stressed that Europe must diversify its sources of critical raw materials. The question now facing European policymakers is how to mitigate the risks while maintaining the momentum of the Green Deal. Kazakhstan is already part of the solution. In 2024, bilateral trade with the EU reached $48.8 billion, and more than 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports go to European markets.

Looking ahead, we see an opportunity to build more secure and diversified supply chains of critical minerals for Europe, an area where our resources and expertise are directly relevant. The past decade has shown what this partnership can achieve. The next decade must be about implementation: strategic projects, strengthened value chains, modernized infrastructure, and deeper technological cooperation. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act shows the scale of the challenge. By 2030, Europe has the ambition to mine, process, and recycle a significantly larger share of its consumption while reducing its dependence on a single external supplier.

Recent disruptions have shown how easily supply chains can be weakened by geopolitical tensions or logistical shocks. Demand for copper, graphite, rare earths, manganese, titanium and other minerals for the energy transition is growing at a rate that far exceeds global supply. Kazakhstan is one of the few countries that can help fill this gap. According to the EU’s own assessment, Kazakhstan can supply 21 of the 34 raw materials that the EU considers critical, including several classified as strategic. Our Sarytogan graphite mining project is included in the official list of EU strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

The foundation for this cooperation is solid. Today, more than 4,000 European companies operate in Kazakhstan. Our 2022 Memorandum of Strategic Partnership with the EU on critical raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen has strengthened the economic pillar of the EPCA. The joint Roadmap for 2025-2026 now sets out clear priorities – from geological exploration to the development of value chains and green hydrogen. The challenge now is to turn this solid foundation into practical results.

Turning common challenges into shared strengths

A first step is to focus together on a select number of high-impact projects. Expanding cooperation in key areas such as copper, manganese, titanium, rare earths and other essential minerals would help create a more diverse supply base for Europe and provide investors with a clearer long-term perspective. Building resilience also means moving beyond raw materials alone. Europe’s processing and refining goals will require reliable partners with both capacity and geographical reach. Kazakhstan has the resources to support this shift, and expanding cooperation in selected processing areas would help create a more diverse and predictable supply base for Europe.

Transport and logistics are also important. Critical raw materials need sustainable and secure routes, and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route – known as the Central Corridor – has already become an important link between Central Asia and Europe. With commitments of over €10 billion from the European Commission and international financial institutions, the route is becoming more efficient and reducing transit times. Continued investment in infrastructure, rail capacity and digital systems will further strengthen the corridor and help reduce risks in Europe’s clean energy supply chains.

Innovation and knowledge must go hand in hand. Secure supply chains depend on technology and expertise, not just raw materials. Kazakhstan already participates in Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, and with visa facilitation for Kazakh citizens expected in the near future, deeper cooperation in geological exploration, battery recycling, clean mining and green hydrogen can support Europe’s climate goals while accelerating Kazakhstan’s industrial modernisation.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the direction is clear: Kazakhstan and the EU share a long-standing interest in stable, resilient and predictable supply chains that support economic growth and provide the technologies needed for a cleaner future. The past decade has shown what this partnership can achieve. The next decade must be defined by implementation: strategic projects, stronger value chains, modernized infrastructure and deeper technological cooperation.

Europe’s transformation will ultimately depend on securing the raw materials that underpin future industries. With the right decisions, both sides can build a stronger and more resilient partnership. Kazakhstan stands ready to work with the European Union to turn common challenges into common strengths.

Author: Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan