Central Asian Countries, European Union Discuss Prospects for Political and Security Cooperation
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Key issues related to strengthening regional security, enhancing interregional cooperation and international agenda were discussed in the EU headquarters, within the framework of the 11th Meeting of the High-Level Political and Security Dialogue between Central Asia and the European Union (HLPSD), press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The deputy foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and Deputy Secretary-General and Political Director of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora participated in the HLPSD.
The participants discussed the course of implementation of the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between Central Asia and the EU. They examined the dynamics of transport, trade, economic, energy and climate relations, as well as addressing common security challenges related to the situation in Afghanistan.
In his remarks, Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented several initiatives aimed at enhancing interregional cooperation with the EU. These initiatives, once implemented, are expected to bring new dynamics into the relations in the areas of energy, trade and water resource management.
Roman Vassilenko highlighted the priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS). He announced a program for continuous monitoring of the basin ecosystem to be implemented over the next three years and the creation of a mechanism for long-term intraregional cooperation on the Aral issue.
In this regard, the Deputy Minister called on the parties to synchronize efforts in the fields of effective irrigation, the operation of water and energy facilities, and the implementation of environmental measures.
According to Roman Vassilenko, Central Asia and the EU today possess a wide range of partnership tools, including sectoral platforms, a trust-based political dialogue and institutional mechanisms. These tools are essential for achieving new qualitative indicators in trade, transport, exports, energy, cross-border development, and other areas. "This is also observed in the dynamics of the interstate political dialogue within Central Asia, alongside the steady increase in export-import operations across the region and the creation of large regional projects that change the economic landscape and prospects for Central Asia," the diplomat has remarked.
The Deputy Minister informed that Kazakhstan is actively preparing to host the 6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States scheduled for 2024 at which the country is planning to present the region’s cooperation priorities, aimed, among others, at strengthening international subjectivity of the region. This will, in turn, expand opportunities for enhanced interregional cooperation with the European Union.
The Kazakh diplomat also briefed on the results of the first meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of Central Asian nations with the President of Kazakhstan in May 2024. The meeting has a potential to become an effective platform for combining efforts to prevent challenges and threats, as well as to develop the necessary response strategies in the region.
Emphasizing the importance of educational initiatives, human capital advancement and fostering professional networks in the context of interregional cooperation, Roman Vassilenko thanked the European counterparts for the excellent organization of the recent inaugural training for diplomats and officials from Central Asian countries hosted at the College of Europe.
In his turn, Enrique Mora noted that cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union is progressing steadily and the sides have already started implementing the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between Central Asia and the EU.
He emphasised that the region faces major environmental challenges related to climate change as well as security issues in the context of the situation in Afghanistan.
Noting the similarity of these challenges, the EU diplomat said that Central Asia can continue to count on the EU’s support in addressing them.
Following the HLPSD, the delegations held a meeting with Terhi Hakala, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Thomas Nicklasson, the EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Nadia Constantini, the EEAS Representative for combating terrorism and Barton Wegter, the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, dedicated to exchange of views on issues of regional security, strengthening borders, countering terrorism and progress of interregional security programs (LEICA, CADAP, BOMCA).
During his visit to Brussels, the Deputy Minister participated in a discussion hosted by Euractiv, a pan-European media network, on the topic of the drivers for increased economic and trade cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU. Janusz Wojcechowski, EU Commissioner for Agriculture, who recently has led an agri-business mission of 40 European companies to Kazakhstan; Samuel Doveri Westerbye, Managing Director of the European Neighbourhood Council, as well as Research Coordinator Maryam Agharabi of KIMEP University and Assistant Professor Zhanibek Arynov of Nazarbayev University also took part in the hybrid conference.
The event saw the discussion of promising areas of trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU, existing obstacles hindering their development and proposals to eliminate these barriers.
High-level Political and Security Dialogue between Central Asia and the EU is one of the permanent platforms of interregional cooperation. The first meeting in this format took place in 2013. The platform is aimed at implementing joint measures to address regional security challenges in the field of water, ecology, etc., as well as preventing cross-border threats such as terrorism, illegal migration and trafficking in prohibited substances.
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Strengthening Safety of Journalists Discussed in Almaty
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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko took part in a regional event of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on the safety of journalists titled "Beyond the Headlines: Protecting Journalists to Advance Media Freedom", press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The Office of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro hosted the event. Among attendees were representatives of the media, academia and civil society from Central Asia and Mongolia.
During the meeting, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) presented to the participants national tools and initiatives related to the safety of journalists, including recommendations developed by the Office - "OSCE RFoM Safety of journalists Toolbox" and "Guidelines for monitoring online violence against female journalists".
Teresa Ribeiro noted the importance of holding such events, which serve as a platform for an open exchange of views on positive initiatives aimed at strengthening the safety of journalists as the most important foundation for media freedom, democracy and security.
Roman Vassilenko stated that since Kazakhstan’s independence, the development of multifaceted cooperation with the OSCE and within the Organization has been one of the strategic priorities of our country’s foreign policy.
It was stressed that cooperation with the OSCE fully corresponds to the conceptual vision of Kazakhstan’s development in implementing the reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. While going through the systemic transformation, Kazakhstan takes into account the best practices and recommendations of international organizations such as the United Nations and the OSCE.
In this regard, the Kazakh diplomat thanked Ribeiro for the expert recommendations developed by the Office of the Representative for Freedom of the Media to the draft law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Mass Media", which was signed by the Head of State on June 19, 2024.
Deputy Minister Vassilenko highlighted that free and independent media are of fundamental importance for sustainable development, protection of human rights and strengthening of democracy. According to him, the safety of journalists is a prerequisite for the exercise of the universal and inalienable right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kanat Iskakov, emphasized in his remarks the firm commitment of the country’s leadership to continue creating the most favorable conditions for journalists, establishing and strengthening the legal framework for protecting freedom of speech, and ensuring the safety of journalists. He provided detailed information about the provisions introduced by the new Law on Mass Media, which, according to him, "fully complies with all international standards, as well as the hopes and aspirations of the Kazakhstan’s journalistic community." Iskakov highlighted the commitment to maintain close cooperation with the Office of the OSCE RFoM and journalists to strengthen their safety, including at the regional level.
As an outcome of the event, the parties agreed to continue the constructive partnership between the OSCE and Kazakhstan, in particular, in the implementation of systemic measures taken by the Government of Kazakhstan to protect freedom of speech and improve the legal guarantees of journalists.
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Kazakhstan and Russia Discussed Co-operation on Latin American Direction
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Consultations on Latin American issues at the level of department directors were held within the framework of the Plan of Measures on Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation for 2023-2024, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The Kazakh side was headed by Ruslan Urazalin, Director of the Department of America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and the Russian side was headed by Aleksander Shchetinin, Director of the Latin American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
During the consultations, the sides shared their experience in the field of co-operation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, exchanged views on a wide range of issues on the regional agenda, and agreed to continue the practice of regular consultations between the foreign ministries.
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History of Strengthening of the Kazakh Statehood Aroused High Interest of Poland
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As part of deepening cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and Poland, “Uly dala tany” (“Dawn of the Great Steppe”) by director Akan Satayev was screened in the European capital, showing viewers the history of the strengthening of Kazakh statehood, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, figures of socio-political and business circles of Poland, as well as students of Kazakhstan.
In his welcoming speech, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Poland Alim Kirabayev drew attention to the main milestones in the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Poland, going back to the Middle Ages, and emphasized that the promotion of historical films significantly contributes to the understanding of cultural heritage, contributing to even greater rapprochement between the peoples of the two countries and enriching inter-civilizational dialogue.
After the film screening, the audience shared their impressions, noting the deep emotional response caused by the movie. In particular, the guests of the event emphasized the historically important events that led to the heyday of the Kazakh Khanate during the reign of khan Kasym.
The audience also noted that they learnt a lot about the ancient rich traditions and cultural peculiarities of the Kazakh people, including military strategies, customs and everyday life.
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Kazakhstan Develops Cooperation with the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
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Director of the Department of America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ruslan Urazalin during his visit to the Russian Federation held meetings with the Ambassadors of the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Guatemala and Salvador, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
During the talks, the sides discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, including organization of bilateral visits, holding political consultations, expansion of the treaty-legal base, exchange of mutual support within the framework of multilateral structures and facilitation of visa regime with the countries of the region.
It was also agreed to further maintain permanent contacts to expand the areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Kazakhstan and OSCE Confirm Course Towards Constructive Interaction and Strengthening of Organization
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Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu had a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg as part of his official visit to Astana, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The officials discussed the current situation within the OSCE and its internal dynamics, exchanging views on potential avenues to enhance trust and restore constructive dialogue among its participating States.
Murat Nurtleu underscored the indispensability of the OSCE as a key negotiation platform for resolving crises in the Organization’s area of responsibility. He assured that Kazakhstan will continue contributing to the bolstering of the OSCE and supporting the Chairperson-in-Office’s efforts in the spirit of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the 2010 Astana Declaration.
The principles of Astana Declaration, adopted fourteen years ago, from year to year retain their importance without losing its relevance. Today Valletta presides over the organization and responsibly fulfills this mission," said the head of the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan.
In his turn, Ian Borg presented Malta’s priorities at the helm of the OSCE, emphasizing efforts aimed at strengthening the Organization’s stability towards a safe and peaceful future.
The parties also reviewed cooperation on issues such as combating international terrorism and extremism, illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons, illegal migration, and border security. They also touched upon enhancing transportation connectivity and addressing environmental issues in the Central Asian region.
Their discussions also focused on further constructive interaction between Kazakhstan and Organization institutions, including the OSCE Program Office in Astana, in implementing joint projects aimed at promoting systemic reforms and sustainable development in Kazakhstan.
With respect to bilateral cooperation, the sides highlighted promising areas such as maritime logistics, trade, and tourism.
The OSCE Chair-in-Office expressed his support for President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s course towards establishing a "Just and Fair Kazakhstan" and highly appreciated the country’s contribution to regional stability and security. He emphasized the critical need for more active participation and cooperation amid numerous crises within the OSCE’s area. In this regard, Ian Borg expressed readiness to further strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan across all three dimensions of OSCE security: politico-military, the economic and environmental, and the human dimensions.
Following the talks, the two ministers agreed to maintain regular dialogue both bilaterally and within regional platforms.
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