President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Germany on September 29 for an official visit, where he held talks with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. The discussions focused on expanding bilateral economic cooperation, energy, critical raw materials, industrial cooperation, technology and transport connectivity.

 

Following the talks, Kazakhstan and Germany agreed to implement a roadmap for 2026–2028 aimed at deepening cooperation in industry, technology and the raw materials sector. The two sides also intend to conduct joint analysis of supply chains and develop more resilient logistics links between Kazakhstan and European markets.

Particular attention during the talks was paid to critical raw materials. Kazakhstan possesses significant reserves of strategic minerals and regards their development and subsequent processing as a promising area of cooperation with European partners. Astana is interested not only in exporting raw materials but also in developing production chains with higher added value.

Tokayev also called on German companies to increase investment in Kazakhstan and establish production facilities in the country. According to Tokayev, Germany’s Mittelstand, with its technological expertise and industrial capabilities, is of particular interest to Kazakhstan. The Kazakh president noted that the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries has not yet been fully utilized.

Energy was another key area of the discussions. Tokayev expressed Kazakhstan’s intention to increase oil supplies to Germany and emphasized the country’s readiness to remain a reliable supplier to the German market. Merz, in turn, highlighted Kazakhstan’s importance for diversifying European oil supplies amid the reduction of Russian energy imports.

Kazakhstan also proposed expanding cooperation in renewable energy and green hydrogen production. Tokayev cited projects involving German companies Linde and Siemens Energy as examples of existing industrial cooperation.

Transport infrastructure also featured prominently in the talks. Kazakhstan aims to increase the volume of cargo transported along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, to 20 million tonnes. Astana is interested in attracting German companies to the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, including the use of Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea ports, particularly the Port of Aktau.

Berlin also regards Kazakhstan as an important partner in Central Asia. According to Merz, Kazakhstan is Germany’s largest trading partner in the region. Germany and Kazakhstan are marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, while Tokayev’s current visit comes amid expanding economic ties between the two countries.

Following the talks in Berlin, Tokayev’s visit continued in Munich, where he held meetings with representatives of German business. The discussions focused primarily on implementing the agreements reached in Berlin and attracting investment into projects in Kazakhstan.

 

Overall, Tokayev’s visit reflects Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with Germany and the European Union across several areas — from oil supplies and critical minerals to industrial cooperation, raw-material processing, logistics and green energy. Germany is seeking to use Kazakhstan as a source for diversifying its raw-material and energy supplies, while for Astana, cooperation with German companies provides an opportunity to attract investment and technology and expand the domestic processing of its own resources.

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30.09.2026 08:11