Brussels, 04/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - During the 14th session of their joint Cooperation Council, in Brussels on Tuesday 3 March, the EU and Kazakhstan confirmed their mutual interest in signing and ratifying the strengthened partnership and cooperation agreement, which was concluded in September 2014 and initialled in January.
The agreement is due to replace the 1999 partnership agreement for strengthening bilateral relations and Kazakhstan's political and social development, through a series of targeted political and economic measures to bring the two parties closer together and to stimulate reforms in Kazakhstan.
On Tuesday, the Cooperation Council - which was chaired by Kazakhstan's foreign minister Erlan A. Idrissov, and at which the EU delegation was led by Latvia's foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics - reaffirmed the importance of fully implementing the EU strategy for Central Asia both on a regional and national basis. A Council press release states that the Cooperation Council also welcomed Kazakhstan's involvement in the EU's regional initiatives for Central Asia, and that it assessed the latest developments on the flagship initiatives for the rule of law, education and the environment.
The Cooperation Council also discussed several “issues of importance” for both parties - notably, political reforms, the rule of law and human rights, trade and economic relations, regional cooperation in Central Asia and international issues.
The EU reaffirmed its support for Kazakhstan joining the WTO which is due to come about following the conclusion, in October 2014, of their bilateral negotiations on market access.
In addition, the Cooperation Council discussed regional cooperation in Central Asia and international issues - including Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan is the first partner in Central Asia to have concluded a strengthened partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU. Over the course of the last decade, the EU has become Kazakhstan's first trading partner and the first foreign investor in the country. Kazakhstan, for its part, feeds nearly 6% of Europe's demand for oil. (Emmanuel Hagry)