On 3 April 2025, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, ahead of the inaugural Central Asia–European Union Summit. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas, notably visa facilitation and the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR).
“To kick-start this new era, we are launching a €12 billion Global Gateway investment package—strengthening transport links between us and deepening cooperation on critical raw materials, digital connectivity, water, and energy. These investments will benefit us both. Because when our partners grow and prosper, Europe does too,” said President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
Progress in visa facilitation
Both leaders acknowledged progress in negotiations aimed at easing the visa issuance process between Kazakhstan and the European Commission. This initiative is intended to boost travel and business exchanges, thereby reinforcing ties between Kazakhstan and EU member states. Kazakh citizens have been anticipating such facilitation to enhance mobility within Europe.
Kazakhstan has already introduced a visa-free regime for citizens of all EU states in 2017, aiming to develop business cooperation, tourism and human contacts. Now, Kazakh citizens are looking forward to eased visa requirements for travelling to the EU.
In a related development, Kazakhstan has expanded its visa options to attract skilled professionals and digital nomads. The government introduced three new visa categories designed to encourage the influx of talent and innovation into the country.
What about the Middle Corridor?
President Tokayev and President von der Leyen underlined the strategic significance of the TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, which links Southeast Asia and China to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye.
The corridor is expected to improve trade efficiency and deepen economic integration between Central Asia and Europe. The European Union has reiterated its commitment to its Global Gateway strategy in the region, identifying the TITR as a key component of that initiative.
To further support efforts on this front, leaders welcomed the mobilisation of a €10 billion international investmentpackage to support sustainable transport infrastructure and logistics networks in Central Asia. T
Kazakhstan’s emerging role in rare earth metals
Alongside discussions on transport and mobility, President von der Leyen congratulated President Tokayev on Kazakhstan’s recent discovery of substantial rare earth metal deposits. Geologists in Karagandy have identified around one million tonnes of rare earths at the Kuirektykol site. This positions Kazakhstan as a potentially vital supplier of critical raw materials needed for high-tech sectors including renewable energy, electronics, and defence.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue under the C5+EU format, addressing regional and global challenges of mutual concern. The meeting highlighted the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union, anchored in shared priorities of economic cooperation, innovation, and connectivity.
