European Union (EU) chief Antonio Costa announced on Tuesday that the organisation will meet with Central Asian leaders for the first time in April as part of its increased attempts to distance itself from Russia.
As long-time allies of the Kremlin have tempered their ties with Russia, Moscow’s war on Ukraine has intensified ties between the European Union and former Central Asian Soviet states.
To diversify its supply of essential minerals, Europe is eager to strengthen ties with mineral-rich nations like Kazakhstan.
In addition, despite the protectionist views of US President Donald Trump, Brussels is working to expand trade globally.
Following a phone conversation with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, Costa confirmed the April meeting in Samarkand. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, will accompany Costa.
Costa stated that Kazakhstan “is an important partner of the EU, and we will continue to strengthen trade and connectivity links.”
Astana’s “principled stance in supporting a rules-based international order” was another thing he praised.
Although Kazakhstan is a part of the CSTO security alliance, which is commanded by Moscow, it has voiced concerns about Russia’s nearly three-year war on Ukraine, which Tokayev has refused to support.
To strengthen relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to Kazakhstan in November.
Additionally, the EU has been pressuring Central Asian nations to combat the flow of items that are sanctioned and could be used to support Moscow’s war effort into Russia.
