05/01/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 5 January, European External Action Service (EEAS) spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said the EU was closely monitoring the protests in Kazakhstan. On behalf of the EU, she called on those concerned “to act with responsibility and restraint and to refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation of violence”. The EU emphasises that while demonstrators must avoid violent incitement, the authorities must respect the freedom to protest. “In the framework of the European Union-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, we count on Kazakhstan to uphold its commitments, including freedom of the press and access to information online and offline”, she said. The conflict between the population and the authorities started because of the rise in liquefied natural gas prices. (LM)