Overview

• In Astana, Sergio Mattarella met President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev and urged every effort for peace with a revival of multilateralism, warning against unilateral actions and recourse to force.
• Tokayev cited Italy as a top commercial partner, noting about 250 Italian companies active in Kazakhstan and roughly $7.6 billion in Italian investment over the past two decades.
• Energy cooperation remains central as Kazakhstan supplies Italy with oil, coal and gas, with Eni identified as a key private partner in Italy’s diversification strategy.
• The visit featured symbolic and cultural steps, including an exchange of the countries’ highest honors and Italy’s plan to open its first cultural institute in Central Asia in Astana, alongside a planned Marco Polo street in the capital.
• Mattarella is due in Baku to meet President Ilham Aliyev for talks on energy and education, including the inauguration of the Italy‑Azerbaijan University campus, with Azerbaijan already supplying Italy via the TAP pipeline since 2020.