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Kazakhstan to work with the EU on climate conference in Nur-Sultan

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Following the meeting of the EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council (10 May), Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva and Kazakhstan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tleuberdi confirmed the mutual commitment in further strengthening bilateral relations. 

The Cooperation Council reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (EPCA), which entered into force on 1 March 2020. Bilateral co-operation between Kazakhstan and the European Union has progressed steadily, even in these challenging times, through continued exchanges in the Co-operation Committee, Subcommittees and dialogues, and today’s Co-operation Council.

Santos Silva said: “Bilateral co-operation between Kazakhstan and the European Union has progressed steadily in relation to trade. Even in a year as difficult as last year, the EU has consolidated its position as Kazakhstan’s main trade partner and first foreign investor and Kazakhstan remains the main trade partner of the EU in Central Asia.”

Abolition of the death penalty

The Co-operation Council also provided an opportunity for reinforced political dialogue and addressed issues of good governance, the promotion and protection of human rights, and engagement with civil society. Santos Silva congratulated Kazakhstan for the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty. The EU strongly supports Kazakhstan’s further democratization. 

Climate neutrality

Tleuberdi said: “Kazakhstan, like the EU, plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. In this regard we expressed our interest in finding new areas for co-operation under the Paris Agreement and the European green deal.” The EU looks forward to the EU-Kazakhstan Climate Conference on 3 June, in Nur-Sultan, and joint work towards the COP26 on climate.

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The Co-operation Council discussed recent developments as regards Central Asian regional co-operation and the EU side thanked Kazakhstan for its active role in promoting peace, stability and security in the wider region, including with Afghanistan. 

Visas

Tleuberdi also raised the issue of visas for Kazakh citizens to facilitate person-to-person contacts, making it easier to visit EU countries. He said the issue remained high on his agenda and that he looked forward to launching negotiations with European colleagues on this issue.

The EU looked forward to the first official visit of President Tokayev to Brussels when conditions allow.

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