Kazakhstan supplies 21 of EU’s 34 critical raw materials
Kazakhstan and France convened the first meeting of the Working Group on Critical Raw Materials, Qazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Industry and Construction Ministry.
The meeting was held via videoconference to implement the agreements reached at the December 2025 session of the Kazakh-French Intergovernmental Commission.
The dialogue took place with the support of the embassies of both states, co-chaired by the Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Industry Committee Olzhas Alibekov, and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals and Metals Supplies Benjamin Gallezot.
The critical minerals partnership between Kazakhstan and France is a direct result of key bilateral agreements. It is formally guided by the 2023 Joint Declaration on strategic minerals and the roadmap formalized during President Tokayev's state visit to France in 2024.
Representatives from government agencies, geological services, and businesses in Kazakhstan and France discussed prospects for cooperation in geological mapping, data exchange, laboratory research, mineral exploration, subsurface use, and the development of a modern mining industry.
Discussions particularly emphasized long-term partnerships in strategic resources - most notably titanium - alongside the promotion of direct business-to-business contacts.
Alibekov noted that Kazakhstan extracts and processes 21 of the 34 critical raw materials included in the relevant EU list. The focus was placed on the ongoing efforts to improve the investment climate and digitalize the subsoil use sector in Kazakhstan.
The Ministry of Industry and Construction affirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to building a robust, mutually beneficial partnership with France. The Ministry invited French stakeholders to actively engage in joint projects focusing on geological exploration, raw materials processing, and transfer of modern technology.
Following the meeting, the sides confirmed their mutual interest in the further development of a long-term strategic partnership and agreed to continue implementing joint initiatives and projects.
Earlier, Qazinform reported Kazakhstan and the U.S. discuss critical minerals and AI cooperation.
