Energy diplomacy: cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union in the field of energy transformation

The energy transition of the European Union after 2022 has taken on a new geopolitical significance, in which energy ceases to be an exclusively economic or climate issue, but becomes part of strategic autonomy and foreign policy action. This shift fundamentally changes the nature of EU energy diplomacy, the aim of which is no longer merely to secure energy supplies, but to deepen security interactions and promote the EU’s influence and regulatory framework through cooperation with external partners. This article examines the potential for energy cooperation between the two blocs – the European Union and Kazakhstan. The aim of the article is to analyse how the European Union’s energy diplomacy is being implemented in Kazakhstan and to assess their level of cooperation in the energy sector. The results of the article suggest that the European Union, through regulatory dialogue and strategic partnerships, is supporting Kazakhstan’s gradual regulatory convergence in the areas of environmental regulation, decarbonization and renewable energy. The analysis shows that the extent of convergence remains selective and is largely limited by Kazakhstan’s geopolitical ties with Russia and China.