Dertiende Samenwerkingsraad EU-Kazachstan (en)
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 24 July 2013 (OR. en) PRESSE 348
Thirteenth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the European Union and Kazakhstan
The Cooperation Council between the European Union (EU) and Kazakhstan held its thirteenth meeting on Wednesday, 24 July 2013. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr Linas Linkevicius, as head of the EU delegation. The delegation of Kazakhstan was led by Mr Yerbol Orynbayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Also present were Mr David O'Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service and Ms Patricia Flor, EU Special Representative for Central Asia
The Cooperation Council reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to see relations strengthen across a number of areas and took stock of the progress made since the twelfth Cooperation Council between the EU and Kazakhstan in June 2011. The Cooperation Council confirmed interest in further negotiating and concluding a new enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union as soon as possible
The Cooperation Council reiterated the importance of a comprehensive implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia both on a regional and national basis and welcomed Kazakhstan's involvement in the EU regional initiatives for Central Asia. Developments were discussed as regards concrete flagship initiatives, such as on the Rule of Law, Education and Environment
The Cooperation Council also discussed a number of issues of importance to both parties, notably political reforms, rule of law and human rights, trade and economic relations, regional cooperation in Central Asia (including water, energy and environment) and international issues
The Cooperation Council welcomed the positive results of negotiations on the accession of Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization. The EU expressed support for membership of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the WTO which will help dismantle remaining trade barriers and further boost bilateral trade
The Cooperation Council discussed regional cooperation in Central Asia and international issues, including Afghanistan. The Cooperation Council underlined the importance of regional cooperation in Central Asia as an effective means of conflict prevention and socio-economic development in the region. In this context, the Cooperation Council called on the Central Asian partners to search for a sustainable settlement regarding water management, security and energy issues in the region, which would take into account all interests and preserve unity in the region.