European parliament roundtable highlights EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership and Astana's Constitutional Modernization
BRUSSELS — The European Parliament hosted a high-level roundtable discussion focused on Kazakhstan’s ongoing political transformation and the future of the EU-Kazakhstan strategic partnership. organized by the Patriots for Europe (PfE) political group, the event drew significant interest from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) spanning three political factions, notably drawing attendees from the EP Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia (DCAS).
The conference, titled “Political Modernization in Kazakhstan and the Future EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership,” was initiated by Thierry Mariani, a prominent French MEP and leading member of the PfE group. The dialogue arrives at a critical juncture as Kazakhstan prepares for the entry into force of its brand-new Constitution on July 1, following a landmark nationwide referendum held on March 15.
A Partnership Tested by Global Volatility
Addressing the European lawmakers, Roman Vassilenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of the country’s Mission to the EU and NATO, underscored the resilience of bilateral ties amidst an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
"Despite global geopolitical instability and macroeconomic uncertainty, the European Union remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner and primary foreign investor," Ambassador Vassilenko stated. He reminded the audience that the relationship is anchored in the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), which spans 29 areas of cooperation and marked its 10th anniversary of signing late last year.
According to Vassilenko, cooperation has expanded deeply into strategic future-oriented sectors, including critical raw materials (CRMs), energy security, green transition, digital infrastructure, and transport connectivity—particularly via the Middle Corridor.
Inside the 2026 Constitutional Reboot
A major focus of the roundtable was Astana’s sweeping domestic political restructuring, driven by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision of a “Fair Kazakhstan."
The March 15 referendum, which garnered an overwhelming 87% endorsement from the Kazakh electorate, completely overhauls the nation's governance architecture. Ambassador Vassilenko invoked a traditional Kazakh proverb to describe the consultative nature of the process: “Kenesip pishken ton kelte bolmas” — "A coat tailored after consultation will never be too short." He emphasized that "dialogue, mutual understanding, and co-decision lead to stronger, more sustainable outcomes."
MEP Thierry Mariani praised the pragmatism behind the structural changes, arguing that the new institutional design provides constitutional resilience during times of crisis.
"Creating balanced institutions guarantees the continuity of state governance under any circumstances," Mariani remarked, drawing a parallel to the French political system. "In France, we do not have a Vice President; if a president resigns, the head of the Senate steps in temporarily. In practice, however, these transitions are delicate because a temporary caretaker lacks a full mandate of popular trust. Kazakhstan’s new model, introducing a structured executive that explicitly includes the office of the Vice President, appears far more resilient."
Balancing Diversity and Efficiency
The 2026 Constitution introduces a profound institutional shift by replacing the previous bicameral legislature with a streamlined, unicameral parliament (the Kurultai), while simultaneously establishing a supreme consultative body—the People’s Council (Halyk Kenesi).
Mariani defended this dual mechanism as uniquely suited to Central Asia’s largest economy. "Kazakhstan is a massive country—roughly five times the size of France—with a complex history and a diverse society composed of various cultural and regional groups," the French MEP noted.
"Transitioning to a unicameral parliament will allow the state to legislative faster, with greater agility and efficiency. At the same time, the creation of the People's Council harmoniously complements the system by ensuring that all cultural, regional, and social strata are represented. This is a very sophisticated and balanced state architecture," Mariani concluded.
Participants at the roundtable agreed that the event offered a timely platform to evaluate the multi-faceted EU-Kazakhstan relationship "in its entirety and without naivety on either side," setting a constructive tone for inter-parliamentary diplomacy in Brussels moving forward.
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