And upon getting off the plane apparently saying (jokingly) “Isn’t it amazing you can travel all this way and still be in Europe”

Haha. If wishes were fishes for the geographically challenged ..

The only reason Borell/Barroso were visiting Kazakhstan at that time is because of their interest in Kazakh oil and gas deposits which are currently being exploited in the Caspian Sea by (mainly) European oil and gas companies. I assume they were also carrying water for the US interests there (large btw and mainly based in Tengiz area i.e. inshore). Judging by the date of their visits .. during RF SMO etc. Just looking after their shop .. hehe