Brussels, 7 October 2026 – The 47th session of the Berlin Eurasian Club was held today in the Belgian capital under the theme “The Global Gateway Investment Hub and Other Mechanisms for Implementing the European Global Gateway Initiative.”
The event brought together representatives of government authorities of Kazakhstan and the European Union, business associations, the expert and academic communities, logistics companies, and financial institutions.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium Roman Vassilenko highlighted the dynamic development of Kazakhstan–EU relations and emphasised active cooperation with the European Commission in supporting strategic areas of cooperation, including within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative.
Michael Harms, Executive Director of the German Eastern Business Association, in turn, stressed the importance of rapidly expanding logistics capacities in order to effectively unlock the enormous potential of economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and Asia.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ardak Zebeshev delivered a presentation on the key aspects of Kazakhstan’s investment policy, outlining the country’s main investment development priorities and measures aimed at further strengthening its favourable investment climate.
This was followed by a panel discussion entitled “The Global Gateway Investment Hub as a Driver of Investment and a New Stage in Kazakhstan’s Modernisation”. The discussion focused on prospects for cooperation under targeted European programmes aimed at identifying, promoting and implementing priority projects designed to strengthen and accelerate joint production and supply chains.
Speaking during the discussion, Peteris Ustubs, Director for International Partnerships at the European Commission for the Asia-Pacific region, highlighted the EU’s interest in expanding support for small and medium-sized enterprises, including by facilitating the mobilisation of private investment and providing the necessary guarantees. He noted that Global Gateway support is not limited to financial instruments, but also encompasses political support, assistance in the transport sector and other areas. Ustubs called on small and medium-sized enterprises to join forces more actively in consortia in order to pool resources.
The participants shared their practical experience and views on the prospects for further developing investment, transport and logistics cooperation, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts by government institutions, international financial organisations and the private sector to ensure the effective implementation of joint projects.
Particular attention was paid to the strategic importance of investment in improving transport infrastructure along the Middle Corridor for the further development of the economic partnership between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
