Kaja Kallas’s Visit to Almaty Marks New Chapter in EU-Kazakhstan Relations

The upcoming visit of European Commission Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to Almaty is set to mark a new phase in EU–Kazakhstan relations, Orda.kz reports.

On March 28, Kallas will visit Kazakhstan, where she is scheduled to meet with President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu.

Ahead of her visit, Kallas gave an interview to Kazpravda, outlining the main topics of her upcoming discussions.

According to her, the agenda will include trade, transport, digitalization, water resources, and security.

In the current geopolitical situation, we plan to discuss the challenges we face, as well as risks to the rules-based international order,Kallas emphasized. 

She noted that Central Asia is strategically important not only due to its natural resources and geography but also because of its investment potential. The EU is already the region’s largest donor and active development partner.

Through its Global Gateway initiative, the EU plans to bring internet access to more than 300 rural villages and 2,000 schools in Kazakhstan this year.

Kallas also highlighted Kazakhstan’s leadership role in regional development and praised the establishment of the UN Regional Hub for Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty.

According to EU officials, all 27 EU member states have endorsed the launch of negotiations with Kazakhstan to ease the Schengen visa process, in parallel with the signing of a readmission agreement.

Earlier, President Toqayev ratified the readmission agreement between Kazakhstan and Estonia, which will facilitate visa access for Kazakhstan citizens.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov