The European Union (EU) and Kazakhstan held the 20^th meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Astana, on Tuesday, 23 May. 

Building upon the first official visit of new Deputy-Prime Minister-Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, to Brussels on 15 May where he met with High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, the EU and Kazakhstan confirmed their commitment to develop further the mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The EU and Kazakhstan welcomed the agreement to set up a dialogue on facilitating visa application procedures.

The EU stressed the importance of the full implementation of political, social and economic reforms and of continuing the reform process, underlining that Kazakhstan has the full support of the European Union. In relation to the January 2022 tragic events, the EU reiterated the importance of conducting a full, transparent and independent investigation including into human rights violations and abuses, torture and ill-treatment, in line with international standards.

The parties discussed economic and trade cooperation. The EU thanked Kazakhstan for hosting the EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, 18-19 May in Almaty, and productive discussions on sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia. Recalling the meeting between Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Prime Minister Smailov, both sides welcomed the signing of the Financing Agreement for the implementation of a bilateral Cooperation Facility for the period 2021-2024 that will support the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) in two priority areas, sustainable economic growth and rule of law. The EU and Kazakhstan looked forward to implementing the Roadmap on the Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials, Batteries and Renewable Hydrogen value chains, and discussed areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and reduction of methane gases. The EU offered to share its expertise.

In exchanges about regional and global issues, the EU stressed the damaging consequences of Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine on regional stability and security, and appreciated principled position of Kazakhstan based on respect for the UN Charter and for the territorial integrity of all UN members, including Ukraine. In this context the EU underlined its vigilance against attempts to circumvent European and international sanctions and appreciated Kazakhstan’s efforts to ensure that its territory is not used to circumvent or undermine international sanctions. The EU welcomed the good cooperation during the visit of the Special Envoy for the implementation of EU sanctions, David O’Sullivan to Astana from 24-25 April.

The EU and Kazakhstan discussed programmes in supporting civil society and human rights. Kazakhstan informed the EU that the draft Media Law will be consulted with the OSCE Representative for the Freedom of Media. Kazakhstan’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027) was discussed, and the EU referred to the good representation of Kazakhstani students among scholarship winners in Erasmus Mundus joint master degree programmes, with a record 59 awardees in 2022.

Building on Kazakhstan’s track record of participation in the EU’s previous Framework programmes for Research and Innovation, the EU encouraged Kazakhstan to participate in Horizon Europe in partnership with their European counterparts, including the Marie Sklodowska-Curie scientific mobility actions. The EU welcomed Kazakhstan’s contribution to the European Higher Education Area and its commitment to extend this role by setting up the Central Asian Higher Education Area.

The Cooperation Committee also discussed EU-Central Asia regional cooperation, including in the field of trade, education, water and environment, rule of law, security, counter-terrorism, fighting drug trafficking and border management.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Roman Vassilenko, and Deputy Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia, European External Action Service, Luc Devigne.