DESTINATION europe
same. Producing, transferring, storing
and using energy in a sustainable
way requires entering a new phase of
technological development of the world
economy, and 'Astana EXPO 2017' has
taken the precise task to gather the
best developments in respective fields.
But, it is our hope that, besides exhibiting
some of the latest scientific and technical
achievements, this major event will also
mark a call to all relevant key players as
governmental bodies, business entities
and individuals for a deeper reflection on
their responsibility to ensure that energy
is well managed for generations. Because
one of the most important human
activities in the future will to remain fully
respectful towards the wellbeing of all
people and all nature on our planet.
The new Partnership and Cooperation
agreement between EU and
Kazakhstan was signed in 2015. It
opened another era of partnership
between the two states. From your
point of view, what are the main
aspects of this agreement?
Indeed, the Enhanced Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement, which we refer
to as EPCA, encompasses all aspects
of EU-Kazakhstan cooperation and
is marked as a new milestone of the
mutually beneficial and strong partnership
between the EU and Kazakhstan.
Being the so-called 'second generation'
agreement, the EPCA provides a
modern, comprehensive and dynamic
framework for cooperation. And
Kazakhstan is the only country in Central
Asia with which such an agreement
was signed. It also provides a stable
legal framework with an important EU
partner in light of the growing security
challenges and turbulence.
This new agreement has been ratified
by the Parliament of Kazakhstan and
pending the ratification by the EU side,
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world monitor
which according to the EU procedures,
will take some time as it needs to be
ratified in all 28 member states and
by the European Parliament. So far,
the EPCA is already ratified by nine EU
member states out of 28.
However, since 1st May 2016 the
provisional implementation of the main
articles of the EPCA was launched,
which already allows us to benefit from
the new legal framework.The EPCA will
enhance concrete cooperation in some
other 29 key policy areas, including
the sectors of economic and financial
cooperation, energy, transport,
environment and climate change,
employment and social affairs, culture,
education and research.
What does it offer to businesses
and citizens of the countries
involved?
This agreement is very timely, as it
reflects the current trends in bilateral
cooperation. As you know, the EU has
become – and remains – the main trade
and investment partner of Kazakhstan.
In 2016 more than a third (39%) of
Kazakhstan’s foreign trade was with EU
countries and over half of the total FDI
stock in Kazakhstan is EU investment.
The benefits for Kazakhstan's business
and ultimately for its citizens are
expected to be a boost for EU-
Kazakhstan trade and economic
relations and for the country's
economic diversification, as well as to
its investment climate. The advantages
are better protection of consumers,
more business opportunities for small
and medium enterprises, stimulating
employment, more efficient use
of energy and the development of
renewable energy sources, reliable
business environment, agriculture and
rural development.
Amongst the areas that go beyond
those already covered by Kazakhstan's
commitments towards the WTO are
those addressing trade-in services,
facilitating the establishment and
operation of companies, freeing capital
movements, opening up government
procurement and protection of
intellectual property rights.
I'd like to recall that following the
first meeting of the EU-Kazakhstan
subcommittee on customs recently,
the agreement reached to host the
visit of Kazakhstani delegation from
the State Revenues Committee to
Rotterdam Port customs for best
practices sharing.
What is important to underline is that
the EPCA trade and business aspects
need to be fully implemented.
For this, it is necessary to evaluate
the gaps and obstacles that we
should overcome to garner the full
benefits of the agreement. To this
end we have launched an in-depth
study on the trade chapters of the
EPCA, which was launched recently,
on 29th March 2017. The study will
bring about a better understanding
on how to adjust trade-related
legislation, administrative and judicial
practices and individuate in detail
the opportunities for companies in
a wide range of economic sectors,
including, to name a few, agro-food
industry (such as dairies) and services,
like transport and tourism. Also,
technology transfer in innovative
sectors of the economy will take
advantage of easier investment
conditions and cross-border
opportunities on the two sides.
I take this opportunity to invite you to
this event in Almaty in the end of June,
where experts will illustrate and discuss
in depth the EPCA trade-related
opportunities with the private sector,
in collaboration with EUROBAK.