Brussels, 23 October 2023
The Cooperation Council between the European Union and Kazakhstan held its twentieth meeting on Monday, 23 October 2023 in Luxemburg.
Marking the 30th anniversary of EU-Kazakhstan bilateral relations this year, and reaching a record high in mutual trade, both parties confirmed their commitment to deepening and widening cooperation and to realising the full potential of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA).
As Kazakhstan’s first trade partner and foreign investor, the EU expressed strong support for Kazakhstan’s reform and modernisation process, underlining that rule of law, good governance and fighting corruption are the very foundations of a functioning democracy, and essential for a conducive business climate that attracts foreign investment. The EU underlined the good progress made in the areas of trade and customs, as well as the high-level Business Platform chaired by Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister, and commended the constructive approach shown in addressing concerns shared by EU investors.
In the current geopolitical context, the EU commended the cooperation from Kazakhstan on tackling sanctions circumvention, and stressed the importance of pursuing efforts to stop the re-exports of common high priority items.
The EU and Kazakhstan welcomed the setting up of a dialogue on visa facilitations under the EU Visa Code and discussed next steps.
Kazakhstan benefits from a dedicated Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (2021-2027), to support the implementation of the EPCA through a Cooperation Facility with a focus on sustainable economic growth and rule of law. The EU informed that a dedicated Technical Assistance contract will be launched in the coming weeks to implement the Cooperation Facility. The EU looked forward to Kazakhstan’s participation in EU Raw Materials Week, on 13-17 November 2023 in Brussels, and to continued cooperation in this area.
The EU recognised the role of Kazakhstan in EU’s energy security, expressed support for the development of renewable energy sources in Kazakhstan, and encouraged Kazakhstan to join the Global Methane Pledge.
Transport connectivity was discussed with a focus on the results of the EU Study on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and Central Asia, published in June 2023, including the importance of a regional approach to connectivity to ensure the sustainable economic development of the entire Central Asian region. The EU welcomed the progress made in the negotiations on the Horizontal Aviation Agreement, and expressed hope the Agreement could be initialled soon. The EU looked forward to Kazakhstan’s participation in the Global Gateway Forum, on 25-26 October 2023 in Brussels, as well as the Central Asia Investors’ Forum, on 29-30 January 2024, also in Brussels.
The EU welcomed Kazakhstan’s active participation in Erasmus+ and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship programmes for the mobility and training of students and researchers, underlining the potential for much greater involvement of Kazakh researchers in Horizon Europe. The EU commended Kazakhstan’s contribution to setting up the Central Asian Higher Education Area.
The EU welcomed the regular consultations on human rights, and stressed the importance of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, independence of lawyers, independence and pluralism of the media and a thriving civil society, including human rights NGOs that have access to domestic and foreign funding without hindrance. The risk of disinformation and misinformation were also discussed. The EU reiterated the importance of a full, transparent and independent investigation into the January 2022 events. With regard to Kazakhstan’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council, 2022–2024, the EU congratulated Kazakhstan on the successful resolution on ensuring quality education for peace and tolerance for every child.
Regional EU programmes and initiatives, as well as regional cooperation were discussed, including the situation in Afghanistan. The EU also stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU invited Kazakhstan to pursue a principled position supporting international law and a rules-based international order.
The EU and Kazakhstan commended the ‘Joint Roadmap for Deepening ties between EU and Central Asia’, endorsed by the EU-Central Asia Foreign Ministers Meeting on the same day.
The Cooperation Council was chaired by Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. The EU delegation was led by José Manuel Albares Bueno, acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain. In the margins, Foreign Minister Nurtleu had a bilateral meeting with the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell.
Source – EU Council