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Kazakh, European parliamentarians resume first part of discussions

Kazakhstan Materials 16 June 2011 16:12 (UTC +04:00)
Interim results of discussions between Kazakh and European parliamentarians in Brussels have concluded.
Kazakh, European parliamentarians resume first part of discussions

Azerbaijan , Baku, 16 June / Trend/

Interim results of discussions between Kazakh and European parliamentarians in Brussels have concluded, Kazinform reported.

Brussels is hosting 10th Meeting of Kazakhstan-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee from June 15 to 17.

The sides have discussed political issues, including democratic development, human rights, as well economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union, including energy and environment fields. Perspectives of new agreement on advanced partnership were also discussed, Paolo Bartolozzi, Chairman of the European Parliament's Central Asia and Mongolia Delegation said.

The Committee meeting will progress with discussing many important issues, he noted. These are security, fight against terror and drugs trafficking, as well as strategic situation in the region.

"Kazakhstan is an important driver of the Central Asian stability and balance," Bartolozzi said. "The European Union regards Central Asia as a significant geopolitical region."

He stressed that Kazakhstan is the EU's most important political, economic and trade partner.

"We appraise Kazakhstan's economic development taking into account the global economic stagnation," Bartolozzi said. "Therefore, our cooperation is of mutual interest for both parties."

European Parliamentarians were interested in the impact that Customs Union creation with Common Free Economic Zone could have on the process of Kazakhstan joining the WTO and its relations with the EU.

"I believe that the European parliamentarians got the irrefragable answers that neither Free economic zone, nor Customs Union will badly influence the EU-Kazakh relations," Member of Kazakh Parliament, Finance and Budget Committee Guljan Karagusova said.

Concerning the development of democracy, MEPs assessed Kazakhstan as leader in promoting reforms in this field.

"Kazakhstan fulfills its international obligations to carry out democratic reforms and it is well backed by the country's legislation," Vice President of the European People's Party Group Ioannis Kasulides at the meeting with Kazakh delegation.

According to Kasulides, the EU sets an aim to contribute to these processes but not to export its democracy to Kazakhstan. Kasulides expressed his confidence that potential investors intending to invest in Kazakhstan would appraise the current changes in the country to build an effective system of checks and balances and ensure legal framework and independent legal system.

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