Credit: ERG
Luxembourg-headquartered mining company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has reported that it supported a reception held in Brussels on Friday 12 December 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the European Union and Kazakhstan, as well as Kazakhstan’s National Day.
According to ERG, the event was organised by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Belgium and Luxembourg and brought together representatives of the European Commission, the Belgian Federal Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, business and expert communities and the media.
In his remarks, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Mission to the EU and NATO, Roman Vassilenko, said that ten years after its entry into force, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) has elevated relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union to what he described as a “genuine strategic partnership”. He noted that more than 4,000 European companies are currently operating in Kazakhstan, reflecting a high level of confidence in the country’s economy. He also pointed to the development of cooperation in areas such as critical raw materials, green energy, transport, digitalisation and sustainable development, and informed participants about the launch of negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements. In addition, he highlighted Kazakhstan’s political and socio-economic reforms, including its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
The company stated that its global team “highly appreciates” Luxembourg’s openness to the international community, its business-friendly environment and multicultural character, as well as the country’s industrial heritage, including in the metals and mining sector. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cumulative direct investment flows from Luxembourg into Kazakhstan between 2005 and 2025 amounted to more than $3.5 billion (€3.2 billion).
Shukhrat Ibragimov, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ERG, said: "Headquartered in Luxembourg, ERG has fully integrated operations in Kazakhstan across high value-added processing, infrastructure and logistics. Our company is a leading, growing supplier of many responsibly sourced metals and critical minerals, including copper and cobalt, aluminium, gallium and high-carbon ferrochrome.” He added: “We also produce up to 20% of the country's electricity while actively developing renewable sources of energy to support the decarbonisation agenda.”
"Kazakhstan’s GDP accounts for around 60% of Central Asia’s total, and in terms of GDP per capita it ranks highest in the CIS region, having recently overtaken China. The country has enormous potential, with its talented and highly skilled people where 40% of population are under the age of 25. Its strategic location as a cross-continental logistics hub, strong commitment to boost digital connectivity, and abundant underdeveloped resources and unique mineral resource base make it uniquely positioned for many global supply chains. Most of the critical minerals identified by the EU are present in Kazakhstan and the reserves numbers are impressive," concluded Shukhrat Ibragimov.
Particular attention during the event was given to transport connectivity, with a focus on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the “Middle Corridor”, which, according to ERG, is becoming an increasingly important element in Kazakhstan’s integration into global supply chains.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Vassilenko noted that high-level visits planned for 2026 are expected to provide additional impetus for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The evening also featured a fashion show presenting a collection in the Kazakh national style by leading designers, curated under the direction of Bayan Zhambauova. According to ERG, the collection combined traditional motifs with modern design elements and showcased the richness and distinctiveness of Kazakh fashion
