President Tokayev considers cooperation with the EU as a top priority

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with President of the European Council Charles Michel during the European Union – Central Asia Summit, which is taking place in Kyrgyzstan, and said that cooperation with the EU is a top priority for Kazakhstan.

The two officials have also exchanged their opinions on the global and regional agenda.

«During the meeting with Charles Michel President Tokayev underlined that the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the EU takes top priority. The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU was a good start for this new extended cooperation,» the president’s press service reported citing Tokayev.

Kazakhstan’s president also highlighted that as of today the EU is the biggest trading partner of Kazakhstan and one of the most important investors in the country.

In turn, the president of the European Council confirmed that the relations between the EU and Kazakhstan have been rapidly developing.

On May 17, 2023, President Tokayev met with President Xi Jinping of China. During this meeting, he said that the comprehensive strategic partnership with China is crucial for Kazakhstan. On the other hand, while in Moscow on May 25, Tokayev noted that the most important aspect of the cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union for Kazakhstan is the economy. He also underlined that his country considers nondiscriminatory access to infrastructure, fair competition, equal rights and respect for the national interests of each other as key principles of cooperation.