On 16 April, during the Energy, Transport, Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, the EU and Kazakhstan discussed key bilateral issues such as energy security, connectivity and Trans-Caspian Corridor, environmental protection, climate change, carbon neutrality, and water resource management. Both sides noted the importance of the partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union on energy security, green transition and in fighting climate change. The parties also noted progress in their joint work to improve the investment climate through projects in the energy sector, including renewable hydrogen - and in the sector of Critical Raw Materials, as part of the implementation of the ongoing joint Roadmap for 2023-2024.

The EU praised Kazakhstan’s accession to the Global Methane Pledge announced last year at COP28 Summit in Dubai as well as initiation of the region’s first Just Energy Transition Partnership – both confirming the country’s commitment to low-carbon development, and opening up significant opportunities for attracting green investments. The EU noted the Kazakh interest to increase cooperation on these topics, as well as on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The parties also noted with satisfaction the progress achieved on the Trans-Caspian Corridor and welcomed the Commission proposal to set up a Coordination Platform.

The EU stressed the urgency of the signature of the bilateral Horizontal Aviation Agreement EU-Kazakhstan.

The delegation of Kazakhstan was led by Mr. Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The EU delegation was led by Mr. Dietmar Krissler, Head of Central Asia Division of the European External Action Service.