Interview with H.E. Aleška Simkić, the European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan

Madam Aleška Simkić is the European Union Ambassador to Kazakhstan, appointed in September 2024. With over two decades of experience in diplomacy, she has held key roles, including Head of Cabinet for the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, and Deputy Ambassador of the EU to Russia. She also served as Deputy Chief Monitor for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, and represented Slovenia at the UN and OSCE. Ambassador Simkić is committed to fostering sustainable development, regional stability, and EU- Kazakhstan relations, emphasizing green energy, connectivity, and social impact in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan has long held a pivotal role as a partner to the European Union, and with the arrival of the new EU Ambassador, Aleška Simkić, the commitment to deepening this relationship continues to grow. Ambassador Simkić sheds light on the partnership between the EU and Kazakhstan. During our conversation, the Ambassador highlighted the EU’s position as Kazakhstan’s one of the largest trading partners and emphasized the shared focus on the sustainable development and green agenda. She also discussed the importance of connectivity in transport, digitalization, and fostering exchanges.

Could you elaborate on the mandate of the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan?

“The Delegation of the EU to Kazakhstan is part of a global network of 145 EU Delegations. In Kazakhstan, there are 22 EU countries’ embassies, reflecting the significance of the country to the EU. Our primary role is to serve as a bridge between Brussels and Astana, ensuring a two-way exchange of messages on critical issues such as human rights, policy affairs, and economic cooperation. One of our key mandates is to promote the European Union in Kazakhstan while fostering understanding and recognition of Kazakhstan within the EU. Looking ahead to 2025, we are focused on sustaining the high-level collaboration between the EU and Kazakhstan. Since the EU was among the first to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence, our relationship has only deepened. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has further highlighted the importance of partnerships in Central Asia as a means of diversification. Over the last two to three years, our relationship with Kazakhstan has grown substantially, and we aim to maintain and expand this progress.”

”The EU’s private sector primarily consists of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with most companies operating independently of government ownership. This distinguishes us from countries like China, where state-owned enterprises play a significant role”

Cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan in energy, logistics, infrastructure, and transport has been widely discussed. Could you comment on recent developments in these areas?

Our approach to cooperation in these sectors emphasizes sustainability and regional integration. Prime examples are the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, significant projects aimed at enhancing connectivity between Europe and Central Asia, as well as, most importantly, regional cooperation. Such regional collaboration is important for the success of these trade routes and for promoting the broader integration of Central Asia into global trade networks. Under the Global Gateway initiative, the EU and international financial institutions have committed €10 billion to Central Asia for trade and transport development. However, our focus is not solely on funding: we prioritize investments that bring social impact and foster community development. We also recognize that beyond physical infrastructure, addressing " soft infrastructure" challenges, such as bureaucracy and cross-border coordination, is critical. Bureaucratic inefficiencies and the need to coordinate across multiple borders in the region remain an issue. To tackle these, we are prioritizing digitalization as a solution. Integrated information system of the region will enhance coordination, increase transparency, and ensure more effective cross- border trade.

It is worthy to note that Kazakhstan holds significant potential in the global energy transition, particularly through initiatives like Hyrasia One, which aims to produce up to 2 million tons of green hydrogen annually. The EU sees Kazakhstan as an important partner in advancing green technologies and diversifying energy sources. In addition to supporting green energy projects, we are helping in decarbonizing Kazakhstan’s economy and diversifying its critical raw materials sector. This includes not only extraction but also developing infrastructure and supporting local entrepreneurs.

With growing influence of external actors in Central Asia, how does the EU plan to balance cooperation with Kazakhstan while addressing this dynamic?

Central Asia is a competitive landscape, with countries like China, Russia, Türkiye, and Korea actively pursuing partnerships. We encourage healthy competition and we are also committed to ensuring a level playing field. Unlike many of its competitors, the EU’s private sector primarily consists of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with most companies operating independently of government ownership. This distinguishes us from countries like China, where state-owned enterprises play a significant role. Our strategy is to focus on fair and sustainable projects aligned with Kazakhstan’s long-term goals. The country’s favorable business climate, rule of law, and commitment to diversification make it an attractive partner for the EU.

The EU fully supports Kazakhstan’s ambition to act as a middle power in Central Asia. This role is critical in promoting regional stability, international law, and cooperation. We encourage Kazakhstan to leverage its resources and position to foster regional unity. A more integrated Central Asia can become a powerful collective force, addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual interests. Middle powers like Kazakhstan have the potential to form coalitions that drive policy research, health initiatives, education, and science. By supporting these efforts, the EU aims to create long-term frameworks for democratic governance and regional cooperation.

Given Kazakhstan’s close ties with Russia, how does the EU navigate its relationship with
Kazakhstan?

The EU recognizes the complexities of Kazakhstan’s relationship with Russia, particularly in areas like energy, where there is significant dependency. We acknowledge that Russia will remain an important partner for Kazakhstan also considering their geography and culture. However, Kazakhstan is actively pursuing diversification to balance its partnerships and reduce reliance on any single power. For instance, the country has set ambitious goals to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030 and double energy efficiency, which will ultimately decrease its dependency on Russia. We respect Kazakhstan’s need to maintain a balanced relationship with Russia while supporting its efforts to diversify partnerships. A stronger, united Central Asia can provide a viable alternative to external powers, and the EU is committed to fostering regional cooperation to achieve this.

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