EU Special Envoy for Central Asia visits Kazakhstan

Terhi Hakala, the EU Special Envoy to Central Asia, met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Nur-Sultan on Monday (February 7) to reaffirm the relationship between the EU and Kazakhstan and discuss the events which transpired in January. 

Both the EU and Kazakhstan are interested in a thorough investigation into the events that took place in early January. More than 200 people were killed in protests which took place across the country. Since then, the Prosecutor General’s Office has been tasked with investigating the events. Over 2,000 cases are pending in Kazakh courts related to their findings so far. However the investigation into individual behaviour and the government’s response is ongoing.

President Tokayev also presented his New Economic Course, which seeks to diversify the national economy and begin to rectify social imbalances. Hakala expressed the EU’s support for these reforms, which the EU representative hopes will lead to a stronger, more stable Kazakhstan. 

Hakala also visited with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mukhtar Tileuberdi, and Secretary of State Erlan Karin while in the capital of Kazakhstan. They talked about the importance of co-operation between the EU and Kazakhstan pertaining to matters of economic development, security and combatting terrorism. 

President Tokayev took time to thank European Council President Charles Michel for his continued support for the cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan. 

The talks come after the European Parliament passed a resolution last month condemning the violence that erupted across the country in early January. The resolution reaffirms Hakala’s interest in a transparent investigation, the release of remaining political detainees and support for the government of Kazakhstan’s commitment to social reforms.

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