PURPOSE: to conclude 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.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2016/123, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Kazakhstan, of the other part was signed on 21 December 2015, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
The Agreement constitutes an important step towards increased political and economic involvement of the Union in Central Asia. By strengthening political dialogue and improving cooperation in a broad range of areas, it will provide the basis for more effective bilateral engagement with Kazakhstan.
It is now necessary for the Agreement to be approved on behalf of the European Union.
CONTENT: under this proposal, the Council is invited to adopt, on behalf of the Union, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Kazakhstan, of the other part.
The Agreement is attached to the draft Decision.
As regards its content, the Agreement is based on three key points:
- Political dialogue and cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy in order to enhance provisions on political dialogue, democracy and the rule of law;
- Trade and business to promote exchanges and trade with the EU;
- Sectoral cooperation in a wide range of areas including sustainable economic development.
(For further details on the measures of the draft Agreement, please refer to the initial legislative proposal from 7.6.2016).
Duration of the Agreement: the Agreement is concluded for an unlimited period, and can be terminated at six months’ notice.
As of its entry into force, the Agreement supersedes the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part, signed on 23 January 1995.