Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during a speech at the EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand, proposed the creation of a regional research center for rare earth metals in Astana.
„Cooperation in the field of rare earth materials is a strategically important area of our interaction. Currently, Kazakhstan produces 19 out of 34 types of raw materials needed by the EU economy, including uranium, titanium, copper, lithium, cobalt, tungsten and many others. As part of the agreement with the EBRD, we are also participating in the process of implementing joint projects for geological exploration, introducing modern and sustainable practices in the mining industry. In order to make the most of the existing potential, we believe that it is possible to create a regional research center for rare earth metals in Astana,“ the president said.
Such a center could become a source of up-to-date information for enterprises and investors about available deposits, technologies and their developments, Tokayev emphasized. In this regard, he specifically noted the declaration of intent adopted today to deepen cooperation in the field of critical raw materials between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union.