Special Representative of the President for International Co-operation Yerzhan Kazykhan took part in the EU Civil Forum - Central Asia

In Almaty, under the co-chairmanship of the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Cooperation Yerzhan Kazykhan and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Imon Gilmour, the EU-CA Civil Forum was held on the theme "Building a Better Future: Involvement in Sustainable Post-Scythe Recovery".

The event was held in a hybrid format with the support of the Akimat of the city of Almaty with the participation of more than 300 representatives of the EU and CA countries. The unique format of the Forum made it possible to bring together experts, human rights activists, and media representatives on one platform and ensured lively discussions between the countries of Central Asia, as well as between Central Asia and the European Union.

Opening the event, Yerzhan Kazykhan noted that the Forum is being held against the background of the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence in the period of dynamic political and economic processes of modernization of the country. Kazakhstan has come a long way, achieved visible results and continues to work on improving its institutions.

The special representative stressed that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev initiated large-scale economic and political reforms that guarantee the state's ability to hear its citizens and respond to their requests. The Head of State pays special attention to civil society, the further development of which he sees in the framework of the recently adopted Concept for the Development of Civil Society. The main goal of the Concept is to create conditions for strengthening mechanisms of public control over the activities and decisions of the Government. Phased political modernization was confirmed by the Head of State in his September Address to the people of Kazakhstan as a key priority. This priority is focused on improving electoral processes, dialogue between society and government, mechanisms for empowering women, youth,  

This domestic political agenda is being implemented in the context of the triple global challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the difficult humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The solution of these issues requires the coordinated work of the world community, including the countries of Central Asia and the European Union. The EU is a reliable partner of the countries of the region and Kazakhstan as well. Relations between Kazakhstan and the EU continue to develop and strengthen, based on trust, mutual respect and shared values. Thus, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the EU is about $ 24 billion.Since 2005, the EU countries have invested about $ 160 billion in the economy of Kazakhstan.

An important result of the joint work with the EU was the conclusion of the Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which entered into force last year. The work within the framework of this Agreement is built around three pillars - economy, security, political development in the EU countries and our country. Kazakhstan welcomes the efforts of its European partners in these areas, as well as the agenda of cooperation in Central Asia defined at the Forum, stressed the President's Special Representative at the Forum.

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