Critical minerals, transport links and university partnerships lead the follow-up agenda, as Brussels and Astana seek practical results from a landmark visit.
Belgium and Kazakhstan are moving to turn the momentum of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s state visit into industrial partnerships, stronger transport connections and closer academic cooperation, with officials in Brussels stressing that implementation will determine its lasting value.
Speaking at the Press Club Brussels Europe on 23 October, representatives of Kazakhstan, Belgium and the European Council outlined an agenda extending from mineral processing and nuclear medicine to student mobility and research.
The briefing followed the royal visit’s programme in Astana and Almaty on 12–14 October, the first Belgian royal state visit to Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It brought political leaders, businesses and universities together at a time when both countries are seeking to diversify their international partnerships. Press Club Brussels Europe
Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Belgium, Roman Vassilenko (pictured), said the visit produced 40 cooperation documents, including 16 commercial agreements and 23 agreements between universities and research institutions, alongside a foreign-ministry roadmap for 2027–2029.
“But the real work begins when the signing pens are put away,” he told the briefing. “What matters now is implementation, investment, research, new business, and opportunities for our citizens.”
That distinction ran through the discussion. The visit has established political support and new institutional contacts. The next challenge is to convert them into projects that businesses, researchers and citizens can use.
Critical raw materials are among the clearest areas of shared interest. Kazakhstan wants to develop industries around its mineral resources, while Belgium brings expertise in metallurgy, processing and recycling.
Vassilenko said Kazakhstan’s objective was to move beyond exporting raw materials towards production with greater added value, supported by research and industrial cooperation.
Gommaar Dubois, a Belgian foreign-ministry official responsible for the Caucasus and Central Asia, said follow-up would include a critical-raw-materials roundtable and a further visit to Kazakhstan. Cooperation would bring together government, companies and universities.
The approach reflects priorities set out by King Philippe during the visit. Addressing the bilateral Business Council on 13 October, he identified energy, critical minerals and transport as areas where the countries’ complementary strengths could support deeper co-operation. Belgian Monarchy
However, questions at the Brussels briefing also exposed how much remains to be defined. Asked about the value of specific minerals agreements and prospects for processing facilities in Kazakhstan, speakers did not provide project-level investment figures or construction timetables.
Marilyn Josefson, diplomatic adviser to European Council President António Costa, said the EU’s approach included developing local value chains in partner countries. She emphasised sustainability and recycling, while explaining that she could not give details of individual projects in the pipeline.
Transport offers another test of whether diplomatic ambition can produce practical improvements.
Kazakhstan’s position on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or Middle Corridor, creates opportunities to strengthen links with Belgium’s ports and logistics networks. Vassilenko highlighted potential connections between Antwerp-Bruges and Kazakhstan’s Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk.
Yet speakers agreed that infrastructure investment alone would be insufficient. More efficient border crossings, compatible customs procedures and digital documentation would also be needed to make the route reliable for businesses.
“The corridor is only as strong as its least efficient link,” Vassilenko said.
For Belgium, the relationship already has a substantial commercial base. Bilateral trade reached approximately €765 million in 2025, more than three times its 2016 level, and over 100 Belgian companies operate in Kazakhstan. Belgian briefing published by the Press Club
Dubois said Belgian regional trade agencies intended to continue annual missions to Kazakhstan and Central Asia, increasing the frequency from the previous two-year cycle. Further political contacts are also being explored ahead of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
University cooperation could provide some of the most immediate opportunities for follow-up.
The royal visit generated agreements covering student and faculty exchanges, joint research and doctoral programmes, with engineering, artificial intelligence and critical raw materials among the priorities.
Vassilenko said approximately 400 Kazakh students were already studying in Belgium. Dubois outlined work towards facilitating local visa issuance for students and professors involved in university partnerships, with arrangements being pursued for next year.
Such administrative changes could prove important to the success of the academic agreements: exchanges require researchers and students to be able to travel.
Kazakhstan is also seeking eventual association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme. Vassilenko described growing joint research activity as a basis for that ambition, while Josefson expressed support for closer cooperation. No firm timetable for association was announced.
Healthcare is another area where existing links could be expanded. Vassilenko said discussions during the royal visit had led to instructions for Kazakhstan’s government to identify further opportunities in nuclear medicine. Oncology, clinical research and specialist training were also highlighted.
The wider European significance lies in the convergence of interests described throughout the briefing: Kazakhstan wants broader markets, technology and investment, while European partners seek more diverse supply chains and transport connections.
Josefson argued that the next phase of engagement should translate political momentum into more trade, investment and stronger connections between people and businesses.
For Belgium and Kazakhstan, the coming year will offer practical measures of progress: whether research partnerships begin operating, student mobility becomes easier, commercial agreements attract investment and logistics cooperation improves the movement of goods.
The royal visit has given the relationship fresh visibility and high-level backing. Its enduring significance will depend on what follows.
ASTANA (Kazakhstan) – King Philippe of Belgium (c), his wife Queen Mathilde (l) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
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