United Kingdom and Kazakhstan Intensify Cooperation

by | 20. Mar 2023 - 14:42 | Politics

Strategic partnership planned in critical raw materials and green hydrogen.

Sustainable hydrogen and critical minerals from Kazakhstan are enjoying increasing interest from Western countries. After the European Union concluded a strategic partnership with the Central Asian country in November, the United Kingdom has now also signed corresponding memoranda of understanding, Astana Times reports. His country intends to further deepen cooperation with the UK in all areas, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said during a visit by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

London, in turn, wants to help Kazakhstan develop export routes bypassing Russia, Reuters reports. The traditionally close ties between the former Soviet republic and Russia have been severely tested following the attack on Ukraine. Head of state Qassym-Shomart Tokayev is keen to intensify relations with Western states and distance himself from Moscow without jeopardizing relations with his most important trading partner. Last year, Tokayev had protests in his own country put down with the help of Russian troops.

Photo: iStock/freedarst