Prerequisites and opportunities for further strengthening of business and humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and the EU were discussed on Thursday by participants of the 38th meeting of the Berlin Eurasian Club (BEC), the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
The meeting titled “Further improvement of the business and citizens environment in the framework of the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Kazakhstan” was held in the Belgian capital. It was attended by about 60 representatives of government agencies, business associations, business, expert community and media from Kazakhstan, Germany and the EU.
The keynote speeches were delivered by Roman Vassilenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Joachim Nunes de Almeida, Director for Energy Intensive Industries, Raw Materials and Hydrogen of the Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry and SMEs (DG GROW).
Vassilenko noted the dynamic development of Kazakh-European trade and economic relations, as well as investment cooperation. In 2022 bilateral trade turnover exceeded $40 billion, which is 38.3% more than in 2021 ($29 billion). At the same time, investments from EU countries reached $12.5 billion. He also emphasized the great potential to further increase these numbers, which requires active joint work by both sides to improve the relevant conditions.
The EPCA covers 29 priority sectors of cooperation, and its practical implementation can bring positive outcomes for the people of Kazakhstan and the EU in a wide range of areas. The provisions outlined in the EPCA serves as a solid legal basis for improving the business environment.
Vassilenko highlighted that against the background of unprecedented geopolitical turmoil of recent times, Kazakhstan and the EU have shown a strong political will to further expand cooperation. According to him, the business community can be assured of comprehensive support at the political level from both sides and can focus on the implementation of specific projects. Among the most promising areas of cooperation for the foreseeable future are energy, including “green” energy, rare earth metals and the development of transport and logistics links, including the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor).
Nunes de Almeida stated that “the EPCA has taken our relations to a new level and is a milestone in EU-Kazakhstan relations.”
“I am very happy to note that there is already a plan that provides concrete actions to streamline our fruitful cooperation in many areas,” he continued. According to Nunes de Almeida, “diversification of mutual supplies, development of strategic partnership with countries such as Kazakhstan is a key pillar of the EU strategy on critical raw materials.”
Various aspects of realization of the relevant tasks were discussed by the participants of the meeting at two panel discussions.
At the session titled “The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement as a Basis for Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU - State and Challenges of Cooperation and Priorities for Further Implementation” the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement in the main areas of interaction were discussed.
Deputy Managing Director of the European External Action Service (EEAS) for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE Luc Devigne, Director of the Department of Industrial Policy of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan Laura Sadykova, Head of Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry André Fritsche and Managing Partner of Strategic Minds Company GmbH Joachim Lang spoke at the session.
The second discussion on “Bringing business and people together - improving the framework conditions for business and humanitarian contacts” focused on visa facilitation for Kazakh citizens and tourism development as the main factors for expanding bilateral ties.
EPCA envisages the possibility of negotiating an agreement on visa facilitation for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union. Experts discussed possible ways to implement these provisions and their effect on the establishment of contacts between entrepreneurs and citizens of Kazakhstan and the EU. The discussion was attended by Vasilenko, Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, a member of the Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Raul Hernandez Sagrera, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Belgium Anna Susarova and Chairman of the Board of JSC “Science Foundation” Abdilda Shamenov. During the session it was noted that the formal consultations initiated this year on the facilitation of visa regime for Kazakhstanis should lead to concrete results in the short term, which will contribute to further comprehensive development of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The BEC meeting in the capital of the European Union was organized by the embassies of Kazakhstan in Germany and Belgium together with the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. The event was moderated by Michael Harms, Managing Director of the Committe, and Peter Tils, Chairman of the BEC Advisory Board.
For reference: The Berlin Eurasian Club was established in 2012 as an informal dialogue platform for prominent politicians, experts, representatives of scientific and business circles of Kazakhstan, Germany and other European countries. The BEC meetings are held three times a year alternately in Astana, Brussels and Berlin. This year the club’s website www.bel-klub.net was launched.
