On Tuesday 4 October, the Cooperation Council between the European Union and Kazakhstan welcomed the start of implementation of the enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement, provisionally applied in a number of areas since 1 May 2016 (see EUROPE 11521).
During the press conference that followed the 15th Cooperation Council, Kazakhstan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov said that his country had put forward an action plan that was currently being examined by their European partners. He also said he hoped that this would be finalised in the first quarter of 2017 so that it could serve as a roadmap for implementing the agreement.
The Cooperation Council therefore provided an opportunity to confirm the mutual interest in consolidating their relations and cooperation, "in particular in ensuring regional stability and development". During the meeting, the two partners discussed a number of subjects including economic, political and legal reforms, trade and economic relations, regional issues and those relating to the rule of law. In its press release the Cooperation Council also pointed out the need to maintain a good balance between legitimate security measures required in the fight against terrorism and individual rights and freedoms. Speaking on behalf of the EU, Slovakia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák also welcomed the work undertaken by Kazakhstan to implement the European Strategy on Central Asia (see other article) and its commitment to promoting good neighbourhood relations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)