Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 2
By Nigar Guliyeva - Trend:
The EU and Kazakhstan jointly support the implementation of the EU-Central Asia Strategy, reads a joint press statement issued on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the European Union.
The sides noted that over the past 25 years Kazakhstan and the European Union have built up a solid framework of relations, with the signature of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union (EPCA) in December 2015.
"The agreement, which entered into provisional application in May 2016, marks a qualitatively new phase of bilateral relations and significantly expands the legal framework of cooperation in numerous areas for the benefit of our citizens. Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country signing such an Agreement with the EU," reads the statement.
"The Agreement is meant to be a driving force in the intensification of relations between Kazakhstan and Europe for the long run. It provides for a new level in the quality of our trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as a broadening of our political and human rights dialogues."
The EU and Kazakhstan further stressed support to the implementation of the EU-Central Asia Strategy, in which a special emphasis has been given to the human capital development, education, environment protection, rational use of water resources, efficient transport and logistics infrastructures in the region, and combating challenges and threats.
Both sides expressed their readiness to continue to consistently improve all forms of partnership and cooperation.