President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas of the European Union to Kazakhstan, Akorda reported. The discussions centered around the crucial aspects of the relationship between Kazakhstan and the European Union, emphasizing the commitment to enhance their strategic partnership.
President Tokayev reiterated Kazakhstan's dedication to strengthening ties with the European Union and expressed a keen interest in advancing multifaceted cooperation within the C5+EU format, an initiative introduced by Kazakhstan. The format aims to facilitate comprehensive cooperation in areas such as politics, economy, security, culture, and environment.
Acknowledging the importance of political reforms, President Tokayev conveyed gratitude to the European Union for its support in Kazakhstan's efforts to strengthen democracy. The successful implementation of political reforms is a testament to the country's commitment to democratic principles and good governance.
The meeting saw a focused discussion on key areas of collaboration, highlighting critical raw materials, green growth, transport, logistics, and agriculture. Both leaders recognized the significance of these sectors in fostering sustainable development and economic growth.
The issue of critical raw materials, essential for various industries, was given special attention during the talks. The leaders explored avenues for cooperation to ensure a stable and secure supply of these materials, recognizing their vital role in technological advancements and economic prosperity.
Environmental sustainability took center stage with a strong emphasis on green growth. The leaders discussed strategies to promote eco-friendly practices and enhance cooperation in renewable energy sources, reflecting a shared commitment to combat climate change.
Transport and logistics were identified as pivotal sectors for mutual collaboration. Enhancing connectivity and streamlining transportation networks were emphasized to facilitate smoother trade and economic exchanges between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
Agriculture, being a cornerstone of both economies, emerged as a key area of focus. The leaders deliberated on ways to enhance agricultural cooperation, sharing best practices, and exploring opportunities for trade in agricultural products.
Kazakhstan and EU Relations
Since Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991, it has been in partnership with the European Union. In December 2015, the European Union and Kazakhstan formalized their collaboration by signing the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). This landmark agreement, the first of its kind with a Central Asian partner, elevated the relationship between the EU and Kazakhstan to a new level, marking a significant milestone in their over 25 years of association.
The EPCA, which received ratification from all EU Member States and the European Parliament, took effect on March 1, 2020. Through the EPCA, the EU and its Member States are empowered to advance and reinforce cooperation with Kazakhstan across various crucial policy domains. These include promoting mutual trade and investment, collaboration in justice and home affairs, economic and financial cooperation, energy, transport, environment and climate change, employment and social affairs, as well as culture, education, and research.
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