Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Roman Vassilenko, participated in the 21st meeting of the Cooperation Committee (CC) «Republic of Kazakhstan — European Union,» as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The co-chair from the European side was Deputy Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, and the OSCE of the European External Action Service, Luc Devigne. Representatives of Kazakh ministries and agencies, as well as various directorates of the European Commission, participated in the event.
During the meeting, a detailed review of the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU and its member states was conducted, along with the agreements reached during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Brussels on November 25-26, 2021.
The main topics of discussion were political and trade-economic cooperation, interaction in the areas of the rule of law and human rights, transportation, energy, education, science, environmental protection, and combating climate change.
In the framework of political cooperation, the parties noted the positive dynamics of high-level exchanges of visits. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Kazakhstan attaches great importance to issues of the rule of law and human rights, which are among the priority areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.
In this context, he informed the European colleagues in detail about the extensive political reforms being implemented by President Tokayev to build a «Fair Kazakhstan.» The European side expressed support for the country’s leadership’s course on political modernization and its intention to provide further support in this matter. In this context, European colleagues also welcomed the adoption by the Parliament of Kazakhstan of the Law «On Mass Media,» aimed at the further development and strengthening of mass media in the republic.
In the field of dialogue on human rights, the importance of intensifying inter-parliamentary cooperation was noted. The Kazakh side also expressed interest in participating in various training and seminars for law enforcement agencies.
Particular attention during the meeting was paid to the issue of easing the EU visa regime for Kazakh citizens. Mentioning our country’s unilateral steps towards European countries in introducing a visa-free regime and the good behavior of Kazakhs visiting EU countries, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted that Kazakh society expects corresponding measures to facilitate obtaining Schengen visas. He expressed hope that this issue would be resolved soon.
Vassilenko noted that the European Union is Kazakhstan’s main trade and investment partner. The EU accounts for about 30 percent of Kazakhstan’s foreign trade and accumulated foreign investments. He emphasized the positive dynamics in the economic and trade-investment sphere, despite the impact of geopolitical challenges.
The Kazakh diplomat also highlighted the importance of avoiding negative consequences for trade and economic relations between the parties in light of the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia. He stressed the need for diversification in trade by expanding the export of Kazakh products, particularly agricultural ones, to EU countries. The European side reiterated that the sanctions measures are not directed against Kazakhstan. Support for access of Kazakh products to the European market was also voiced.
The Kazakh side drew attention to the importance of intensifying cooperation in the field of green energy within the framework of the «European Green Deal,» as well as the implementation of the 2023-2024 Roadmap for the implementation of the Memorandum of Strategic Partnership in the field of sustainable raw materials value chain, batteries, and green hydrogen signed between Kazakhstan and the EU in November 2022. The meetings also discussed cooperation in combating climate change, particularly the Kazakh government’s plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
During the discussion on transportation issues, the European side confirmed the interest of the European Investment Bank and other EU financial institutions in investing in the development of the transit-transport sector of Kazakhstan and the region, including the development of the so-called «Central Trans-Caspian Transport Network,» passing through South Kazakhstan, the «Middle Corridor,» as well as the potential integration of Kazakhstan’s transport infrastructure with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
An equally important topic of discussion at the meeting was the interaction between Kazakhstan and the EU within the framework of the EU Strategy for Central Asia and the Global Gateway strategy.
The parties expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation in the «Central Asia — EU» format and discussed ways to qualitatively implement the «Joint Roadmap for Deepening Relations between Central Asia and the EU» adopted in Luxembourg on October 23, 2023, and to prepare a number of other upcoming events this year. Key areas identified included regional security, sustainable development, environmental protection, and the development of civil society.
Overall, the latest meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU Cooperation Committee allowed for a thorough exchange of views and outlined specific steps for further implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well as preparatory work for the 21st meeting of the Kazakhstan-EU Cooperation Council at the level of the Kazakh Foreign Minister and the head of the European External Action Service, which is scheduled to take place in October this year under the chairmanship of Hungary.
