ASTANA. KAZINFORM – Kazakhstan is starting cooperation with the European Union in a number of new areas. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Roman Vasilenko at a briefing by the Central Communications Service, Kazinform correspondent reports.
“Kazakhstan remains the only country in the region that has signed and ratified the “second generation” agreement, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU and its member states. At the same time, we are not limited to 29 areas of cooperation defined by this agreement. For example, last year we launched cooperation in new areas for us – rare earth metals, “green” hydrogen, batteries, development of transport and logistics potential, as well as diversification of supply chains of goods,” R. Vasilenko said.
The speaker noted that, in continuation of this high dynamics, the visit of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is expected this year, which is very symbolic in the year of celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the EU.
According to R. Vasilenko, already today more than 3 thousand companies with European capital are successfully operating in various sectors of the economy, including such global giants as Shell, Eni, Total, Amazonen-Werke, Air Liquide , Alstom and Carlsberg.
The speaker also said that, due to the geopolitical situation in the region, many European companies are expressing significant interest in relocation to Kazakhstan. There are already specific agreements with large companies in the UK, Lithuania, Denmark, the Czech Republic, either to open a new production facility in Kazakhstan or to relocate their regional offices.