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In recent years, the relationship between the EU and Kazakhstan has evolved significantly, marked by a growing emphasis on economic cooperation, political dialogue, and partnerships in various fields, including trade and agriculture.
Economic cooperation, focused on trade and investment, has been a longstanding cornerstone of EU-Kazakhstan relations. Kazakhstan's natural resources, particularly oil, gas, and minerals, have attracted European companies seeking access to energy markets and investment opportunities. The EU has also been an important market for Kazakh exports, notably oil, metals, and agricultural products.
With regards to agricultural products, EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski visited Kazakhstan from 27-31 May 2024, accompanied by a large business delegation of senior representatives from the EU agri-food sector. The purpose of the visit was to facilitate European agricultural food and beverage exports to Kazakhstan and expand their presence in the Central Asian markets.
Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss EU-Kazakh relations and the drivers for increased economic and trade cooperation.
Questions to be discussed include:- Further to May's high-level EU delegation visit to Kazakhstan, what are the next steps in facilitating European agricultural trade with the country and the wider region?- What will be the wider impact of the agri-led mission to Kazakhstan? Will it lead to an expansion of trade in other sectors?- Will enhanced EU-Kazakh economic cooperation improve Kazakhstan's ability to trade more globally?- How can the EU’s focus on sustainable development and green technologies create opportunities for further economic collaboration?- What will the priorities of EU-Kazakh cooperation be following the June 2024 EU elections?

The European Parliament elections are fast approaching, and agrifood policies have taken the spotlight following a wave of protests and demonstrations across the EU in recent months. One common concern expressed by farmers across the bloc is the level of bureaucracy within the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The current CAP, covering 2023 to 2027, saw a significant push towards greener policies, with a strong focus on environmental requirements, specifically, increased environmental conditionality. However, following the protests, the European Commission has made proposals to appeal to farmers, with many of these proposals focusing on environmental matters.
‘Good agricultural and environmental conditions’ (GAEC) have been relaxed to ease the administrative burden on farmers, providing Member States with more flexibility in policy implementation. Furthermore, some policies on this mandate’s agenda have been scrapped, such as the pesticide regulation (SUR).
Striking a balance between the needs of farmers and sustainability remains a significant challenge that will likely define the next Commission mandate.
As various political parties release their election manifestos, they are including action plans on agrifood policy for the years ahead.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the new legislative agenda for 2024 to 2029 and what changes are foreseen for the agrifood sector.
Questions to be discussed include:
- What proposals have been made, adapted, or withdrawn so far?- What will the priorities be for the agrifood sector in the new Commission mandate, particularly for CAP?- How will the outcome of the elections impact future agrifood policies?- How will policymakers strike a balance between sustainability and the needs of farmers?
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The European Union stands as a leader in global efforts to combat climate change, driven by a commitment to secure a sustainable future for all. At the heart of EU climate action lies the European Green Deal, a framework for transforming the EU into a carbon-neutral and circular economy by 2050.
The European Commission set different milestones that are essential to achieve in order to reach the climate-neutral economy objective by 2050. In that context, the 2030 climate and energy framework sets different key targets for the year 2030, notably in terms of emission reductions, the share for renewable energy, and improvement in energy efficiency. Achieving the EU's long-term climate objectives depends on the successful implementation of the 2030 framework.
Among the challenges, a successful transition needs to go hand in hand with economic growth, competitiveness and security of supply, and will also depend on public acceptance. In that context, the next European Commission will have a crucial role to play in setting a regulatory framework while ensuring sustainable growth for all.
Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the way forward for a successful transition and the next steps to achieve the EU’s climate goals. Questions to be addressed include:
- What are the main challenges the EU faces in meeting its objectives, and how does it plan to address them?- What will be the key priorities for the next European Commission to achieve the EU’s climate goals?- What role does innovation play in achieving the EU's climate goals?- What are the strategies to ensure a just transition for all communities and sectors affected by the shift towards a sustainable economy?

Regional revitalization – driven by green policies and technological advancements – is a key priority across Europe, and it is clear that this transformation is most urgent in rural, post- industrial, and suburban areas adjacent to major cities.
The role of large companies that operate in these areas cannot be overstated. Their contributions, spanning job creation, upskilling of local workforces, and community investments, play an important role in transforming these areas. Moreover, private sector initiatives can serve as a model for a pan-EU strategy that would breathe new life into these areas.
“Regional Revitalization: The Transformative Power of Investment in Rural and Post-IndustrialAreas Across Europe” will highlight the experiences of these companies and serve as a platform to discuss effective models that EU leaders can look to when navigating regional revitalization. The event will feature insights from experts through roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, such as the current status of post-industrial regions in Europe, the EU's perspective on job creation and economic impact that results from re-industrialization, and shared experiences of revitalizing rural and post-industrial regions.
Panels will include representatives and experts from various sectors, including distinguished figures from various European institutions. Professionals from key industries such as automotive, food, and logistics will also share their perspectives and experiences on how private sector companies can play a crucial role in boosting local economies across European regions.

The European Commission identifies buildings in the EU as the primary energy consumer, accounting for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. In December 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, as part of the so-called ‘Fit for 55’ package.
In March, MEPs adopted the proposed revision of the Directive. It aims to progressively decrease greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sectortowards climate neutrality by 2050.
Specifically, all new buildings should be zero-emission as of 2030, while Member States must enact measures for energy consumption reduction and renovate a portion of poorly performing non-residential buildings. Additionally, there is a focus on decarbonising heating systems.
Improving building energy efficiency not only reduces bills and energy poverty but also enhances Europe's energy independence, stimulates the economy, and generates green jobs, particularly in construction.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Some questions to be discussed include:
- Is the Directive sufficiently aligned with the EU's climate ambitions?- Are the measures feasible for Member States to implement?- What existing initiatives address energy efficiency and the renovation of buildings?- Are measures needed to support the construction industry in fulfilling the Directive's objectives?
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 893858.
This website reflects only the author’s view and the Research Executive Agency or European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

2024 marks the year of another significant change in the EU’s political composition. Every five years, EU leaders collectively determine the EU's political priorities, a process occurring in conjunction with the European Parliament elections and preceding the appointment of each European Commission. Kicked off by the European elections in early June, the shifts in political groups and coalitions within the EU will shape its policy agenda and future legislation.
In light of the recent farmer’s protests all over Europe, but most notably in Brussels, the future of the agricultural sector is under the microscope like no other sector at the moment. Special attention will be paid to any new developments, plans, and legislation, putting a lot of pressure on the new leaders of the EU.