MEPs look into challenges of the EU-Kazakhstan partnership

Genuine partnership between the EU and Kazakhstan is important and beneficial for both parties but issues of concern over respect for fundamental rights and freedoms shadow the progress of the relationship, Foreign Affairs Committee members stressed during an exchange of views with experts on Wednesday.

Recent developments in the area of human rights, ongoing trials against opposition leaders, undermined freedom of assembly and of expression, cases of torture, constrained situation of trade unions and widespread corruption were among the main concerns raised by MEPs during a hearing with experts from academia, think tanks, business, trade union and civil society community on Wednesday.

Kazakhstan, as a leading country and the most dynamic economy in the Central Asian region, offers nevertheless significant potential for a genuine partnership with the EU, its biggest investor and trading partner, MEPs stressed. They underlined that positive progress in partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) negotiations must be linked to improvements in the area of human rights and democracy in the country.

Foreign affairs committee is set to vote on a report by Liisa Jaakonsaari (S&D, FI) on the EU-Kazakhstan enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement when it meets on 11 October.

Wednesday 19 September 2012
Committee on Foreign Affairs
In the chair: Elmar Brok (EPP, DE) followed by Liisa Jaakonsaari (S&D, FI)