In 2026, Kazakhstan will assume the rotating chairmanship of the bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union. While the rotation is procedural in nature, the chairing country traditionally plays a significant role in shaping the political and regulatory focus for the year ahead.

For Kazakhstan, the EAEU common market remains the primary pragmatic incentive for membership. At the same time, related risks have become more pronounced, including constraints in external trade policy, tightening sanctions regimes, and the persistence of barriers within the Union’s internal market.

The priorities outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev suggest not an expansion of the EAEU institutions’ competences, but rather a shift in focus toward the most sensitive and practical areas.

In our new memo, we examine which elements of the agenda are likely to see tangible progress and assess their potential impact on businesses operating across the EAEU market.

Read the full memo below.