Roman Vassilenko: a change in outlook for Kazakhstan

The deputy minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan explains the country’s developing relationship with the EU, its partnerships with China, and its plans to diversify its economic output.

by Kimberley Long

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Q: Kazakhstan has a long history of collaboration with Europe and you personally are a strong advocate for closer ties with the EU. What do you think Kazakhstan could gain from this closer collaboration?

A: Kazakhstan and the EU are strong commercial partners, with 48% of the foreign direct investment [FDI] in Kazakhstan coming from the EU. The region also represents 50% of Kazakhstan’s international trade. But Kazakhstan’s collaboration with the EU goes beyond trade: there has been collaboration on important security issues, such as greater border protection for the Central Asian region and fighting drug trafficking.

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Kimberley Long

Kimberley Long is the Asia editor at The Banker. She joined from Euromoney, where she spent four years as transaction services editor. She has a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Liverpool, and an MA in Print Journalism from the University of Sheffield. Between degrees she spent a year teaching English in Japan as part of the JET Programme.

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