By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo

The following interview article was contributed by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. -- Ed.

On the occasion of the Central Asia Media Forum held in Astana on April 16, Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, gave an exclusive interview to Derya Soysal from EU Reporter.

In this conversation, Vassilenko shared insights into Kazakhstan’s vision for regional media cooperation, the strategic goals behind President Tokayev’s initiative, and the broader importance of strengthening dialogue and understanding among Central Asian countries.

Here are some excerpts from the interview.

Question: How do you assess the outcomes of the first EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand?

Answer: Vassilenko: The Central Asia – EU Summit in Samarkand marked a new chapter in our long-standing relations, upgrading regional cooperation to the level of strategic partnership.
It underscored the strong mutual trust and growing strategic interest between our regions in building a resilient, comprehensive, and long-term partnership. The high-level participation of the Heads of State from Central Asia and the leaders from the European Union gave the meeting significant political weight.
The summit addressed a broad range of priorities – from sustainable development and climate cooperation to energy, transport connectivity, and regional security. We particularly welcome the balanced and substantive Joint Statement, which reflected key initiatives and priorities, including the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, green transition, water security, and cooperation on critical raw materials.
Importantly, the summit demonstrated that Central Asia is increasingly acting as a coherent regional partner. This unity is crucial in today’s complex international environment. We believe the outcomes of the summit will open new opportunities for practical cooperation and the launch of mutually beneficial projects with the EU.
We welcome the announcement of the new Global Gateway Investment Package for Central Asia worth of 12 billion euros.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev put forward a number of initiatives aimed at further enhancing our multifaceted interaction, including establishing Regional Centre on CRM (Critical Raw Materials) as well as Central Asia – EU Innovation Campus in Astana, launching “Erasmus + for Central Asia” educational program and others.
Kazakhstan is fully committed to implementing the agreements reached and looks forward to injecting new momentum into the interregional dialogue. We also hope this summit format becomes a regular platform for strategic coordination between the EU and Central Asia.

Q: The EU recently launched a €12 billion Global Gateway Investment Package focused on transport, critical raw materials, clean energy, and digital connectivity. How does Kazakhstan plan to leverage this initiative to advance its sustainable development goals and solidify its role as a key transit and investment hub in Central Asia?

A: Vassilenko: Kazakhstan welcomes the Global Gateway Investment Package and views it as a transformative opportunity to deepen our strategic partnership with the European Union. Our approach to effectively leveraging these funds is multi-faceted:
• Joint Project Identification and Institutional Coordination.
• Enhancing Transport and Transit Connectivity: Strengthening the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route remains a primary objective. By collaborating with regional partners and EU stakeholders, we aim to expand port capacity, modernize railway infrastructure, and optimize customs procedures. These measures will help further position Kazakhstan as a major logistics and transit corridor bridging Europe and Asia, in line with the objectives of the Global Gateway initiative.
• Advancing Sustainable Resource Development: Kazakhstan’s extensive reserves of critical raw materials, combined with the EU’s focus on sustainable supply chains, offer significant mutual benefits. We continue to promote responsible extraction and processing methods, supported by research and innovation. This includes the establishment of specialized research facilities—such as the proposed Regional Research Centre for Rare Earth Metals in Astana—to ensure we meet environmental standards while providing stable access to essential minerals for European industries.
• Promoting Green Transition and Climate Resilience.
• Fostering Digital Innovation and Human Capital.
By aligning Global Gateway investments with our national reforms and regional ambitions, Kazakhstan seeks to deliver tangible benefits for our citizens, strengthen our position as a reliable transit and investment hub, and contribute to sustainable growth in Central Asia. This integrated approach will reinforce the trust and collaboration we share with the European Union, paving the way for increased economic prosperity and shared progress in the years ahead.
Most importantly, we must begin the practical implementation of projects. It is essential to adopt a holistic approach and turn our commitments into concrete actions.

Q: What are the anticipated goals of the upcoming Astana International Forum scheduled for May 29–30, 2025, and why is it significant for fostering regional cooperation in Central Asia?

A: Vassilenko: For us, this forum is an opportunity to contribute to the revival of diplomatic efforts and to promote multilateralism, as well as a return to normal and constructive international relations.
This is why our President launched the initiative in 2022.
This year’s edition will gather high-level participants, including presidents and prime ministers from Croatia, Albania, Rwanda, Togo, and others.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, as well as representatives from the United Nations and many international experts, will also be in attendance.
This forum is our contribution to international dialogue in an increasingly interconnected world.
Cooperation is always better than confrontation.

Q: What is the significance of the Astana Media Forum for regional cooperation and information exchange among Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan?

A: Vassilenko: The Central Asia Media Forum is an initiative launched by President Tokayev. During 30 years of independence and development, the countries of Central Asia have gradually grown distant from one another. In response, President Tokayev proposed the creation of this forum, along with the establishment of a Central Asian media channel.
As announced by Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information, this morning at the Forum, this channel will be jointly developed by the countries of the region. Supported by President Tokayev and the Kazakh government, the initiative aims to strengthen mutual understanding, promote regional cooperation, and remove barriers.
This forum is particularly significant because it also addresses broader themes such as artificial intelligence, fake news, and the future of media.
Now in its second edition, the forum is taking place in Astana and gathers experts from across Central Asia to foster dialogue and regional unity.
It reflects Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to bring the countries of Central Asia closer together.