30 Years Since Kazakhstan and the European Union Established Diplomatic Relations

Today marks 30 years since Kazakhstan and the European Union established diplomatic relations. Over the past three decades, we have managed to build a strong partnership based on mutual respect and trust.

From the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in 1995 to the entry into force of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) in 2020, our dynamic relationship has come a long way.

Today, the EPCA covers 29 broad areas of cooperation — from economy, trade and investment to cooperation in aviation, education and research, civil society and human rights. Kazakhstan and the EU remain firmly committed to further developing and strengthening their mutually beneficial bilateral relations with a view to fully implementing the EPCA.

The EU reaffirms its full support for the large-scale political and economic reforms in Kazakhstan advancing the vision of a "Just Kazakhstan," as well as the country's commitment to conducting a full and transparent investigation into the January 2022 events.

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery and green hydrogen value chains will be crucial for the transition to green and digital technologies. We look forward to expanded high-level contacts and deeper parliamentary cooperation, strengthened business ties and people-to-people contacts, and continued dialogue on human rights and the rule of law.

In the current geopolitical context, we reaffirm our firm commitment to the UN Charter, international law, and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. We stress the importance of maintaining peace and stability and resolving disputes through diplomatic means.

We reaffirm our commitment to building a strong and forward-looking framework for cooperation between the EU and Central Asia, as well as to strengthening regional dialogue in Central Asia, which is key to prosperity, stability and sustainable development. As a next step, we look forward to the EU–Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2023.

In this landmark year for our relationship, we look to the future of our ever-closer and multifaceted cooperation with confidence. We are determined to advance it for the benefit of the people of the European Union and Kazakhstan, and for greater regional stability and prosperity.

Source: gov.kz