Kazakhstan and Europe: A reliable partner in the global energy transition.

Since its independence in 1990, our country has been a reliable partner for the European Union, and our relationship with Europe has been one of our most stable ones.

Currently, Kazakhstan is the third largest non-OPEC oil supplier to the EU. More than 70% of our oil exports go to the EU, which shows how the relationship has strengthened over time and evolved into strategic cooperation in critical materials and renewable energy.

Data confirms that in 2022, our country's oil exports to the EU reached 42 million tonnes, worth 20 billion dollars.

Some of my friends seem surprised that, in geographic terms, Kazakhstan is one of the most intense European countries. I believe we have a very important role to play not only in European energy security but also in the peaceful future of Eurasia.

Kazakhstan's importance as a natural resources supplier applies to many fields beyond oil. Take uranium: our country is the largest supplier of uranium to the EU.

We provision 21% of the demand for uranium, which is vital for the European nuclear energy industry. In 2023, we Kazakhs will export 7,500 tonnes of uranium to the EU.

We are an emerging country growing by leaps and bounds. We are a country of the future, which is why, in recent decades, Kazakhstan has made it a priority to diversify its economy.

We are fortunate to have substantial mineral wealth, including critical minerals such as nickel and cobalt, which are essential for producing electric batteries and other green technologies.

Data reports that nickel exports to the EU from Kazakhstan in 2023 were 15,000 tonnes, valued at $240 million. By 2027, the price of nickel is expected to increase 9% annually to $15,900 per tonne.

Our energy wealth and strong relationship with the European Union has also advanced by leaps and bounds.

The growing demand for green hydrogen and the adoption of the European Green Pact have led to joint projects and the signing of agreements with the EU to develop hydrogen plants in Kazakhstan.

One example is the German-Swedish plant in the Mangystau region, which was designed to produce 2 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually and cost 2.8 billion euros to build.

These projects, together with the strong relationship that we Kazakhs have had for years with the European Union, a great partner, not only promote the importance of the green energy transition that we are all making to care for the environment but also strengthen the economic interdependence between Kazakhstan and the EU.