Conference titled "Kazakhstan: Freedom of the Media and Freedom of Civil Society" organized by "Open Dialogue" Polish foundation in association with the EP Subcommittee on Human Rights was held in Brussels on February 8, Kazinform reported.
According to Chairman of the Subcommittee Heidi Hautala, the main purpose of the European Parliament is to create a spirit of cooperation between the European Parliament and third countries based on the European democratic values. However, the EU bases relations with its partners on the strategic interests of Europe. In this regard, Europe called the European parliamentarians for keeping a close watch on the human rights observance in the post-soviet states and striving for establishment of an open dialogue of the civil society and governments.
According to it, the rejection of referendum to extend the powers of the Kazakh President till 2020 proves existence of an active position of the civil society.
Deputy Chairman of the Subcommittee Andrzei Grzyb noted that the development of relation with Kazakhstan was of special importance for the European Union. Due to it, the human rights observance in our country is constantly in the spotlight of the European parliamentarians.
Deputies of the European Parliament, representatives of international and Kazakhs NGOs, mass media, civil society and mission of Kazakhstan in the EU took part in the conference.