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EurActiv (14 June 2023)

In light of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the nations of Central Asia have gained renewed importance for the European Union. 

For the EU, the chief imports from the region are energy and raw materials, including oil from Kazakhstan. The EU seeks to increase its engagement in these sectors and in October 2022 signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan on access to critical raw materials. Oil and gas are crucial for European countries to diversify their supplies away from Russia. An increase in Kazakh oil may be an attractive option for the EU.

Central Asia has historically developed close political, security, economic and human ties with Russia but also with China, Turkey and Iran.

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