Kazakhstan values its frank exchange with the EU Foreign Minister writes

Caliber.Az reprints an article covering economic and political cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU), which was published by the European website Euractiv.Com.

The author of the article is Mukhtar Tileuberdi, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan values the constructive feedback it receives from its European partners regarding the country’s political development during a time of major geopolitical challenges.

The world has experienced many challenges this year. Most notable, of course, is the military confrontation in Ukraine, which has rocked Europe and the world, including indirectly through economic downturns and worrying geopolitical tensions. Kazakhstan has not been immune from these trials. The war on sanctions has impacted our economy, while global recession risks are affecting business confidence in the region.

Against this challenging background, it would have been easy for the government of Kazakhstan to look inward, mainly due to the tragic events that took place in our country in January. Back then, many doubted whether Kazakhstan would recover. Despite our assurances and firm commitments to reform, democratisation, and further protection of human rights, some questioned whether this would be achieved in practice. As we approach this turbulent year’s end, we can confidently say that Kazakhstan has kept its promises. In addition to demonstrating our resilience and stability, we have transformed our country through significant political and socio-economic initiatives.

We have implemented constitutional reforms following a nationwide referendum in the summer, which have ushered in new democratic principles in our governance system, including a more influential parliament, limited presidential powers, an independent Constitutional Court, simplified procedures for registering new political parties, direct elections of rural akims (mayors), among many other important measures.

Last month, our country held a presidential election under the new Constitution, which means all future heads of our state, including current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will serve a single seven-year term without the right to re-election. In addition, many of the participants of the January events have received an amnesty, while steps have been taken to prevent human rights abuses by a minority in law enforcement. All of this contributes to creating a Just and Fair Kazakhstan – a fairer society and a more vibrant, dynamic and competitive political system.

The course taken by Kazakhstan has opened the door to enhanced cooperation with the European Union. We appreciate that the EU has welcomed the political and socio-economic reforms initiated by President Tokayev and considers Kazakhstan an important and valuable partner of the European Union. Indeed, the EU is Kazakhstan’s largest trade partner and investor, accounting for 40 per cent of the country’s external trade. This year alone, the trade volume between Kazakhstan and the EU countries reached $29.5 billion over the first nine months, increasing by 42 per cent. As our relations develop, we continue building them on the Enhancement Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that has been in force since March 2020.

The unprecedented global challenges have only spurred Kazakhstan and the EU to intensify our cooperation. There are many avenues to explore when it comes to our relations.

Firstly, both Kazakhstan and the EU are interested in increasing connectivity between Europe and the countries of Central Asia. In this regard, we work on consolidating opportunities offered by the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Kazakhstan has for many decades been a bridge between East and West, being at the very heart of the new Silk Road. While we will continue to facilitate trade between Asia and Europe, we are determined to establish new trade routes directly between Kazakhstan and the EU. As geopolitical tensions persist, Kazakhstan can play a key role in stabilising global and European markets through these routes and exporting many available resources to our country.

Secondly, we share the EU’s objective of tackling climate change. In particular, we are interested in deepening a mutually beneficial partnership with the EU in the field of renewable energy sources. Just last month, the European Commission signed a memorandum with Kazakhstan’s government to develop supplies of green hydrogen and raw materials to manufacture equipment such as wind turbines and batteries for electric cars. There are not many places where large-scale production of green hydrogen is possible. Kazakhstan is one of them. Our cooperation with the EU will contribute to our ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. While this is not an easy task, we are confident that we will achieve this objective and spare no effort to do so.

Finally, we are enhancing our cooperation in the political sphere, including engagement with MEPs. Visits this year by members of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Cooperation with Central Asia and Mongolia (DCAS) and EP’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) in April and August, respectively, provided the European parliamentarians with detailed information about the recent developments and changes in Kazakhstan.

In the past two months, we also had the pleasure of welcoming to our capital Astana Charles Michel, who also attended the inaugural meeting between the President of the European Council and the heads of Central Asian states, and Josep Borrell, the Vice-President of the European Commission, who expressed their support for the political and socioeconomic reforms in our country. We look forward to further discussing our cooperation as we work on a visit to Kazakhstan of Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, as well as at the next EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty next year.

We value the constructive feedback we receive from our European partners regarding Kazakhstan’s political development. Our journey is, of course, far from over. Therefore, we engage in frank exchanges with our EU colleagues on some of the issues we seek to address. Yet we are aware of our progress and are adamant that we are on the right path.

Next year, our country will be holding parliamentary elections, the first ones to be had since the significant reform that made registering new political parties significantly easier. Importantly, for the first time in almost two decades, individual citizens non-affiliated with political parties can also contest seats in the parliament. This will further contribute to the modernisation of our governance and a more open political scene by increasing competition and plurality.

As the world looks to navigate the stormy waters of current geopolitical and economic hardships, closer cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU is essential. At the same time, Kazakhstan remains committed to developing its relations with all the countries and partners. As President Tokayev said during his inauguration recently, “Kazakhstan continues implementing a balanced, constructive foreign policy to protect national interests.” Among the key partners with whom “we will make every effort to develop multifaceted cooperation”, the European Union takes a particular place. We are convinced that this policy can contribute to tackling many global crises, including the need for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine and confronting climate change.

In February 2023, Kazakhstan and the EU will mark the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. Looking back over the past three decades, we can be pleased with the solid foundation we have built for our cooperation. As we look to the next 30 years, I have every reason to believe that both sides have more to gain from continuing progress of our relations based on trust, dialogue and partnership.