Brussels, 03/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, met Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov on Thursday 2 February. At this meeting, she repeated her call for “an objective and transparent investigation” of the violent clashes of December 2011 between striking workers and the police, which resulted in several people being killed and hundreds more being injured, and the ensuing arrests. There was also discussion of the recent parliamentary elections and Ashton encouraged Kazakhstan to maintain its “aspiration to build an open and democratic society respectful of the fundamental rights and freedoms of its population”.
The high representative also made it clear that the EU is committed to strengthening its relations with Kazakhstan through the negotiations or a new enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement. “Progress in these negotiations will depend on progress on political reforms”, however, she stated.
Ashton noted that Kazakhstan, with which the EU enjoys good relations and dialogue, is an important partner for the EU in Central Asia. (CG.transl.rt)