PURPOSE: to conclude the Enhanced Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member
States, of the one part, and Kazakhstan, of the other
part.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2020/244 on
the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member
States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the
other part.
CONTENT: the Council decided to approve, on behalf of
the Union, the Partnership and Enhanced Cooperation Agreement
between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part,
and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part.
The Agreement establishes a strengthened partnership
and cooperation between the Parties which contributes to
international and regional peace and stability as well as to
economic development and is based on principles which the Parties
also reaffirm through their international commitments, notably in
the framework of the United Nations and the OSCE.
The Agreement is based on the will of the Parties
to:
- strengthen the promotion, protection and
implementation of fundamental freedoms and human rights, as well as
respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and good
governance;
- respect the principles of the market
economy;
- develop trade and investment in all sectors on the
basis of a strengthened legal basis, in particular this Agreement
and the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation
(WTO);
- develop regular political dialogue on bilateral and
international issues of common interest;
- combat the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and to cooperate in the fields of non-proliferation and
nuclear safety and security;
- fight against the illicit trade and accumulation of
small arms and light weapons;
- fight against organised crime and trafficking in human
beings and intensify cooperation in the fight against
terrorism;
- strengthen dialogue and cooperation on migration
issues, as part of a comprehensive approach focusing on cooperation
on legal migration and the fight against illegal migration and
trafficking in human beings;
- respect the principle of sustainable development,
including by promoting the implementation of international
multilateral agreements and regional cooperation;
- strengthen cooperation on energy, ensure security of
energy supply and facilitate the construction of appropriate
infrastructure, building on the Memorandum of Understanding on
cooperation in the field of energy between the European Union and
Kazakhstan, concluded in Brussels on 4 December 2006, and in the
framework of the Energy Charter Treaty;
- raise the level of security in public health and human
health protection, which is a prerequisite for sustainable
development and economic growth;
- promote mutual understanding and convergence of their
legislative and regulatory frameworks in order to strengthen
mutually beneficial links and sustainable development.
The Agreement establishes an institutional framework
comprising a Cooperation Council, a Cooperation Committee and a
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. It also introduces a dispute
settlement procedure, to be used if one of the Parties fails to
fulfil its obligations under the Agreement.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 20.1.2020.