June 2, 2025 | By Minener Newsroom
As geopolitical uncertainty grows, Italy reaffirms its strategic interest in Central Asia, with Kazakhstan emerging as a key energy and trade partner in the region.
ASTANA – Central Asia is no longer a geopolitical backwater. Instead, it has become a vital region for global powers seeking energy security and strategic influence. Italy is among the latest countries to deepen its engagement in the region, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visiting Kazakhstan for the Astana International Forum (AIF) on May 30.
Her trip, part of a broader tour that included Uzbekistan, marked Italy’s most visible push yet into Central Asia. At AIF, Meloni participated in both the forum and the first-ever Central Asia–Italy summit, emphasizing Italy’s long-standing commitment: “Italy was the first EU country to invest in permanent relations with Central Asia,” she said, noting that recent summits are elevating the relationship to a strategic partnership.
Energy, Oil, and Critical Raw Materials at the Core
Italy is already Kazakhstan’s top trading partner in Europe, with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration reporting a bilateral trade volume of $19.9 billion in 2024, up 24% from 2023. Much of this is driven by energy, with oil dominating Kazakhstan’s exports to Italy. However, some observers argue that much of the oil ends up transiting to other European countries through Italy.
Meloni highlighted the strategic potential of cooperation in energy and critical minerals: “If we truly want to shape the future, we must have the courage to go beyond geographical boundaries. Energy and critical raw materials are where our collaboration can generate shared benefits.”
Renewables and Energy Transition Projects
Beyond hydrocarbons, Italian firms are investing in Kazakhstan’s green energy shift. In 2022, Italian energy major Eni launched the Badamsha I & II wind power plants with a combined capacity of 96 MW in Aktobe. In 2024, Eni and state-owned KazMunayGas began constructing a 247 MW hybrid solar-wind-gas plant in Zhanaozen, demonstrating growing synergy in low-carbon infrastructure.
Kazakhstan Pushes for Balanced Partnerships
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has underlined the need for a more balanced distribution of energy revenues. “It’s unacceptable that 98% of oil income benefits foreign companies,” he has stated. While reaffirming ties with Rome, Astana is also renegotiating contracts to ensure long-term domestic benefits from resource exploitation.
During his January 2024 visit to Italy, Tokayev remarked, “We are proud to be Italy’s main partner in Central Asia. Our economic cooperation has enormous potential for further growth.” Since then, the two leaders have met multiple times, including at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, reflecting the deepening political and economic ties.
Logistics and the Middle Corridor
With over 300 Italian companies now active in Kazakhstan, the two nations are also exploring connectivity initiatives like the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), linking China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and Turkey. Meloni called it “the most promising and fascinating challenge” for Europe-Asia trade integration.
Beyond Energy: Visas, Tourism, and Cultural Exchange
Kazakhstan is also advocating for the easing of EU visa requirements to facilitate travel and cultural exchange. As bilateral ties expand, Kazakhstan hopes for Italy’s support on this front to stimulate tourism and academic partnerships.
Looking Ahead
Geopolitical tensions and disruptions to traditional transit routes are pushing Europe to diversify partnerships. Italy’s pivot to Central Asia, and especially to Kazakhstan, reflects a broader trend of recalibrating global energy and trade strategies. As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, the Kazakh-Italian axis is set to grow in both significance and scope.
For more updates on international energy diplomacy and strategic mining partnerships, follow our coverage at Minener.com.