Strasbourg, 22/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is in favour of negotiations for a stronger Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Kazakhstan, but wants the country to make great improvements in the fields of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
A Parliament resolution prepared by Liisa Jaakonsaari (S&D, Finland) says that progress in negotiating a new agreement should be connected to progress in political reforms. The resolution was passed by a wide majority at the Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on Thursday 22 November and the Parliament says that in its recommendations to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, it expects a binding commitment from the Kazakh government to guarantee freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and religion and an independent judicial system.
Expressing concern about arrests and lack of any fair trial for members of the Kazakh opposition and civil society found guilty of “encouraging social discord,” the Parliament urges Kazakhstan to immediately release its political prisoners and end political arrests.
The resolution stresses the importance of energy cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan, particularly the development of a trans-Caspian fuel route and closer ties for regional cooperation in central Asia for the management of water, border control, security in Afghanistan and the fight against extremism.
The EU/Kazakhstan Parnership and Cooperation Agreement came into force on 1 July 1999 and the talks on a stronger agreement started in June 2011. (EH/transl.fl)