Brussels, 19 July 2024 (TDI): Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev met with Luc Devine, Deputy Managing Director of the EU External Action Service for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, and the OSCE, along with Johannes Luhner, Director General of the EU Department for Migration and Home Affairs, to hold negotiations.
Moreover, they addressed collaboration in the areas of the rule of law and human rights, transportation, energy, climate change mitigation, environmental protection, education, and science.
Additionally, they deliberated on the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the EU.
The parties conducted an in-depth examination of the implementation process of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Furthermore, they reviewed the current status of its provisions, evaluated progress, and identified areas for further enhancement to ensure the agreement’s effective and comprehensive execution
Significant emphasis was placed on the issue of streamlining the EU visa regime for Kazakhstani citizens.
This included evaluating current challenges and proposing potential solutions to improve and expedite the visa issuance procedures.
He emphasized that this move reflects Kazakhstan’s commitment to fostering closer ties and facilitating travel.
He further noted that the Kazakhstani public is anticipating reciprocal actions from the European Union that will simplify the process of obtaining visas for Kazakhstani citizens.
Expressing optimism, he conveyed his hope that this issue will be resolved soon, leading to more accessible and streamlined visa procedures.
The diplomats also engaged in a thorough exchange of views on regional security matters, paying particular attention to the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
Also, they discussed the implications of recent developments in the region, considering the potential impact on stability and security.
Additionally, he shared the results of his recent negotiations with Thomas Nicklasson, the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, highlighting the progress made and the collaborative efforts being undertaken to address the situation in Afghanistan.
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Overall, the parties conveyed their satisfaction with the comprehensive cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union across various sectors. They also outlined plans to further enhance and expand their collaborative efforts.
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