Italy expands wings in Central Asia aiming to emerge as key global player

Italy, aiming to emerge as a power centre of Europe amid the fast-changing geo-politics and geo-economics has decided to expand its presence in Central Asia with special focus on the richest and biggest state Kazakhstan.

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni is set to make an official visit to Kazakhstan on April 26–27, following an invitation from Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

On April 27, Astana will host the first-ever Central Asia–Italy summit to strengthen bilateral strategic partnership.


During his visit to Italy last year, Tokayev and Meloni hailed relations, which “have transformed into a strong partnership based on mutual trust, shared values, and effective cooperation”.

Last month the Italian President visited Kazakhstan. Tokayev and Italian President Sergio Mattarella emphasized the importance of intensifying the bilateral strategic partnership, elevating trade and investment, and expanding cooperation across priority sectors during a March 9 meeting.

Tokayev noted that the two countries had established strong cooperation across various areas.

“Many Italian companies operate in our market. There is rapid growth. Cultural and humanitarian ties are also developing dynamically. I believe that very strong relations have been built between our countries,” said Tokayev.

Mattarella expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized that the meeting was a testament to the genuine friendship between the two nations. He underscored the significant potential for expanding the strategic partnership, notably in political, economic, trade, and cultural spheres.

A key topic of the meeting was the growing economic and trade relationship between the two countries.

Italy is one of Kazakhstan’s largest trading partners, with a trade turnover of around $20 billion last year. More than 250 Italian companies have established operations in Kazakhstan, spanning various sectors including energy, mechanical engineering, agriculture, and more. Kazakhstan is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources endowed with oil, gas, uranium and critical minerals.