​Visit of the delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament to #Kazakhstan strengthens dialogue and mutual understanding

On August 17-18, 2018, the delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament (EP) consisting of parliamentarians from Romania, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Latvia and the United Kingdom paid an official visit to Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the visit of the delegation of the EP, headed by Deputy Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Cristian Dan Preda, was further development of interparliamentary cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of lawmaking.

During the visit, the delegation met with Deputy Chairman of the Majilis (lower house of the Parliament of Kazakhstan) Vladimir Bozhko, Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Judicial System and Law Enforcement Bodies of the Senate (upper house of the Parliament of Kazakhstan) Georgy Kim, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of the Majilis Mukhtar Yerman, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the President of Kazakhstan, deputy of the Majilis Kuanysh Sultanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Deputy Prosecutor General Andrei Lukin, as well as Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Social Development Sergey Konovalov.

The task of effective implementation of common goals, principles and priorities, outlined in the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union, signed in 2015, became the key topic of the negotiations.

The sides discussed topical issues of the international agenda, including Kazakhstan's activities in the UN Security Council, the role of our country in ensuring global nuclear security, Astana's efforts focused on eliminating consequences of nuclear tests, the peaceful settlement in Syria within the framework of the Astana Process, restoring peace in Afghanistan, as well as the preparation of the new Strategy of the European Union for Central Asia.

During the meetings, the parties also exchanged views on situations in Ukraine and Iran, as well as on the Korean Peninsula. Particular attention was given to the co-operation of the European Union and Kazakhstan within the framework of Assistance Programs on reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The important role of the Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) in the development of the political dialogue was underlined. Annual PCC meetings are effectively used as a venue for Kazakh and EU parliamentarians to «synchronize their watches» on all important issues of interaction. The regular 15th meeting of the PCC took place on May 11-12, 2018.

European and Kazakh parliamentarians expressed confidence that in the future interparliamentary cooperation will remain a solid groundwork in strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and the European Union.

During the meeting at the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, the chairman of the Commission on Human Rights under the President of Kazakhstan Kuanysh Sultanov briefed his European colleagues on reforms of the judicial and law enforcement systems being carried out by Kazakhstan.

During their meeting with the Deputy Prosecutor General Lukin, the members of the European Parliament received exhaustive answers to the questions they raised about human rights and particular judicial proceedings, including cases of Elena Semenova, Muratbek Tungishbaev, Max Bokaev and others. The fact that there are no “political prisoners” in Kazakhstan but those convicted or under investigation for specific criminal and corruption offenses was particularly stressed.

The delegation was also informed that torture, violence and other cruel or degrading treatment or punishment against any person is prohibited by the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, existing cases of ill-treatment against prisoners and other persons are thoroughly investigated, and those responsible were convicted with appropriate penalties.

The fact that Kazakhstan is open for cooperation with the European Parliament and other European and international institutions so as to objectively consider the cases that may cause concern was brought to the attention of the delegation.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Aigul Kuspan noted that the visit of European parliamentarians contributed to a constructive dialogue and an in-depth understanding of the ongoing processes in the country. The active exchange of parliamentary delegations gives an additional impetus to the further development of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU. The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the EU pays specific attention to work aimed at strengthening of interparliamentary cooperation and actively assists the European partners in organizing meetings with representatives of public authorities, non-governmental organizations and civil society of Kazakhstan.

Thus, the issues of human rights and freedom of speech are on a regular basis transparently and constructively discussed within the framework of the EU-Kazakhstan Subcommittee on Justice and Rule of Law and of the Dialogue on Human Rights. Regular meetings of these bodies are scheduled for November 20-21, 2018 in Brussels.

In addition, at the invitation of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights Pier Antonio Panzeri is expected to visit Astana this autumn. A visit of a mission of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan to Brussels is expected to take place this November in order to discuss the issues of the rule of law and human rights at the European Parliament.

Regarding the episode that took place in Almaty during the visit of the MEPs and that was mentioned in the AFET's press statement, we would like to draw attention to the fact that the information about the alleged detention of some persons by police officers in order to prevent their meetings with members of the delegation does not correspond to reality. Moreover, the law enforcement bodies did not apply any measures towards those persons, who, in turn, did not lodge any complaints against the police officers.