A delegation of MEPs from Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) visited Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on Friday 25 August. It discussed the issue of circumventing sanctions against Russia with high-level politicians and local stakeholders.
“Our visit to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan reconfirmed the need for the EU to intensify its presence in and involvement with the countries of the region”, commented AFET Committee Chairman David McAllister (EPP, German) in a press release (see EUROPE 13210/29). “We stated that sanctions are directed at the aggressors – Russia and Belarus, not the countries of Central Asia”, he added.
He felt that allowing “sanction circumvention feeds the Russian war machine and results in a rising death toll in Ukraine”. He also welcomed the willingness of the two governments to work with the EU on this issue.
Mr McAllister also spoke of connectivity, which offers the greatest potential for bilateral cooperation, and could foster regional cooperation and build confidence in Central Asia. “The Trans-Caspian corridor is an important alternative connection between Central Asia and Europe and facilitates direct access to the world markets without passing through countries under sanctions”, he emphasised, mentioning in particular the recently strengthened cooperation with Kazakhstan in the field of essential raw materials.
The MEPs also discussed the human rights situation and civil society. They welcomed the political and economic reforms underway in Kazakhstan. However, they expressed concern about legislative initiatives affecting the media and NGOs in both countries. “This should not lead to a shrinking space for civil society and independent media or a worsening of the human rights situation”, said Mr McAllister. (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)