Italian Prime Minister’s State Visit Highlights Strategic Energy and Trade Cooperation

In a historic move to deepen ties with Central Asia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made an official state visit to Kazakhstan in April 2025. The visit marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, focusing on strategic cooperation in energy, infrastructure, technology, and trade. It also reflects Italy’s growing interest in strengthening its geopolitical presence in the Eurasian region.

Meloni was received in Astana by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with whom she held high-level discussions on regional stability, mutual investments, and European-Asian connectivity. The visit included the signing of multiple bilateral agreements, particularly in the energy sector—underscoring Kazakhstan’s role as a crucial supplier of oil, gas, and rare earth materials to the European Union.

The state visit comes amid global shifts in energy security following the war in Ukraine and the European Union’s broader strategy to diversify its energy sources. Italy, as a key EU member, is keen to reduce dependency on Russian hydrocarbons. In this context, Kazakhstan emerges as a strategic alternative, with Italy aiming to increase long-term imports from the Central Asian giant.

Meloni’s delegation included representatives from ENI, Snam, and other major Italian companies seeking opportunities in Kazakhstan’s growing infrastructure and digital sectors. Discussions also addressed green energy cooperation, with shared interest in hydrogen projects and carbon capture technologies, further aligning both countries’ commitments to climate targets.

Cultural diplomacy was also on display, with Meloni inaugurating an Italian cultural exhibition in Almaty and launching new educational exchange programs. Both sides emphasized people-to-people engagement as a cornerstone of future cooperation.

In a joint press conference, Meloni described Kazakhstan as ‘a bridge between East and West’ and praised its efforts in regional diplomacy. Tokayev, in turn, welcomed Italy’s engagement and emphasized the country’s stable business environment and its desire for increased European partnership.

The visit has been interpreted by analysts as part of a broader Italian strategy to assert itself as a diplomatic and economic actor in Eurasia, amid the EU’s renewed focus on Central Asia. With China, Russia, and the West all vying for influence in the region, Meloni’s trip signals Italy’s intention to carve out its own role in this complex landscape.

As the two nations chart a course for deeper strategic cooperation, the outcomes of Meloni’s state visit may shape the trajectory of Italy’s foreign policy toward Central Asia for years to come.