BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 11. Kazakhstan and
Belgium discussed the potential of the Middle Corridor and the use
of European port infrastructure to expand trade flows.


According to the press service of Kazakh MFA, the discussions
were held during a visit of Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Belgium
Roman Vassilenko to West Flanders province.


During meetings with representatives of Belgian business circles
and regional authorities, Vassilenko highlighted the strategic role
of the Middle Corridor as one of the fastest-growing Eurasian
transport routes and emphasized opportunities for using the
Antwerp-Bruges port infrastructure to increase supplies of Kazakh
agricultural products to European Union markets.


As part of the visit, the Kazakh ambassador also familiarized
himself with the operations of the Zeebrugge port complex, which is
part of the unified Port of Antwerp-Bruges.


During talks with Mayor of Blankenberge Bjorn Prasse, the sides
discussed prospects for expanding Kazakhstan-Belgium cooperation at
the regional level, including tourism, sustainable urban
development and establishing direct partnerships between
municipalities of the two countries.


The ambassador also held meetings with owner and CEO of Belgian
group Maselis Patrick Maselis and representatives of Borlix NV,
where the sides discussed trade and economic cooperation, as well
as opportunities for joint projects in Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial
sector.







According to the Kazakh side, bilateral trade has been showing
steady growth. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium increased
by 48%, reaching $311.5 million. Flax seeds became the main export
item, with Belgium representing the largest European market for
Kazakh flax, while Kazakhstan currently ranks first among flax seed
suppliers to the EU market.


Belgian companies expressed interest in cooperation in deep
grain processing, localization of advanced processing technologies,
production of food ingredients and animal feed, as well as joint
investment projects in Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector.


The Kazakh ambassador presented the opportunities offered by the
Middle Corridor, and noted the importance of developing logistics
cooperation with European partners. "The Ambassador also presented
in detail the potential of the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (Middle Corridor) as one of the most dynamically
developing Eurasian transport routes and emphasized the
possibilities of using the Antwerp-Bruges port infrastructure to
further expand the supply of Kazakh agricultural products to the
countries of the European Union," the statement of Kazakh MFA
says.


Following the visit, the parties confirmed their interest in
further expanding practical cooperation in logistics, agriculture,
tourism, sustainable regional development and strengthening direct
ties between business and regional communities of Kazakhstan and
West Flanders.