Kazakhstan and the European Union Discuss Trade and Economic Cooperation

On October 21, 2026, the 9th meeting of the Cooperation Committee between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union in the Trade Configuration was held in Brussels. The meeting was co-chaired by J. Kushukova, Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and I. Irurarrizaga, Head of Unit E.2 – Southern Neighbours, Middle East, Türkiye, Russia, Belarus and Central Asia, Directorate-General of the European Commission.

The 9th meeting of the Committee addressed a wide range of issues, including the implementation of the Protocol of the 8th meeting; the current state and prospects of trade, economic and investment relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union; and a number of issues related to the removal of trade barriers and restrictions on bilateral trade. The participants also reviewed the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) in areas related to trade, including the implementation of the EPCA section on “Trade and Sustainable Development.” In particular, progress in implementing Kazakhstan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Emissions Trading System (ETS), and expectations regarding the Partnership for the Implementation of Market Mechanisms project were discussed. Other topics included sanitary and phytosanitary issues, cooperation in technical regulation and standardization, as well as trade projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia financed by the EU.

Following the meeting, the parties emphasized that the discussions had taken place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere and highlighted the importance of this dialogue platform for developing trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and EU member states.

It should be noted that the EU holds a leading position in Kazakhstan’s foreign trade structure. Bilateral trade has been increasing annually. In the first eight months of 2026, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the European Union amounted to USD 31.6 billion, an increase of 8.2% compared to the same period of the previous year (USD 29.2 billion).

Exports increased by 12.2% to USD 25.3 billion. Kazakhstan’s main exports include oil and petroleum products, uranium, coal, natural gas and other commodities. Agricultural exports primarily consist of flax and rapeseed, wheat, animal or vegetable fats, fish meat and other products.

Ақпарат көзі : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1315532?lang=ru