On July 1, Astana hosted the 12th meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU dialogue platform chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, during which the parties discussed the expansion of partnership in trade and investment cooperation, as well as green transition and transport interconnectivity, QazMonitor reports citing the PM's press service.
Smailov emphasized that the environmental agenda is one of the key issues in the sustainable development of Kazakhstan's economy. The country aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources in its energy balance from the current 4.5% to 15% by 2030.
"Considering the experience and achievements of European countries in alternative energy sources, we are interested in implementing new joint projects," said Smailov.
The prime minister also highlighted that the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of value chains of sustainable raw materials, batteries, and green hydrogen, signed last year, has already been supported by concrete steps. The German-Swedish group Svevind launched a project in the Mangystau region for the production of green hydrogen on June 21.
In light of the recent official visit to Azerbaijan and Georgia, Smailov informed the European colleagues about the agreements reached regarding the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Kazakhstan is ready to collaborate with European partners to connect the Middle Corridor with the Trans-European Transport Network and the Global Gateway initiative to further develop this project.
The EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kestutis Jankauskas said that relations between the union and Kazakhstan are developing dynamically, as the implementation of new projects in the field of renewable energy and the strengthening of transport interconnections are key areas for joint work in the future.
"Climate change is a global threat. The European Union has repeatedly expressed its commitment to transitioning to a zero-emissions economy by 2050. We would also like to support Kazakhstan on this path through concrete projects by our companies and banks," added Jankauskas.