Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed deepening economic cooperation, including in critical raw materials, during bilateral talks in Astana on Friday. The meeting yielded agreements worth over €4 billion across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and trade.
Meloni, who also spoke at the Astana International Forum, praised the "extraordinary relationship" between Italy and Kazakhstan, calling it one of the "items of good news" in challenging global times.
"Our partnership is already excellent, but there is always room for improvement," she said, thanking Tokayev for his "pragmatic leadership" and productive discussions.
Tokayev highlighted Italy’s role as Kazakhstan’s largest European trade partner and third-largest overall, pledging preferential treatment for Italian businesses. "We will provide excellent opportunities for your companies, large and small," he said.
Meloni’s visit to Kazakhstan followed a stop in Uzbekistan, where she and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev oversaw €3 billion in investment agreements. In a symbolic gesture, Samarkand named one of its streets "Via di Roma" (Road of Rome) in honor of the partnership.
In Astana, Meloni also held talks with the leaders of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing Italy’s role as a key EU partner for the region.
"Italy was the first EU country to establish a permanent dialogue format with Central Asia," she noted, referencing the EU-Central Asia Summit in April. "This region is a bridge between East and West—a crossroads of growing relevance."
Key agreements with Kazakhstan include long-term collaboration on critical raw materials, renewable energy, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. A joint statement underscored both nations’ commitment to diversifying trade and strengthening energy and infrastructure ties.
Meloni’s tour signals Italy’s strategic push to deepen economic and political engagement with Central Asia, positioning itself as a leading European ally in the region.