World Monitor Magazine June #3 | Page 24

DESTINATION europe Europe Day 2017 in Kazakhstan: Anniversary Year for the European Union This late spring and early summer season in Astana was brightened by Europe Day 2017 celebration, covering variety of events from 20 may to 16 June. A series of events organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan has become traditional - Europe Day has been held in our country for more than 16 years. Europe Day is an important annual opportunity to think about where we are, and where we are going on the journey of cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan. Both sides have already entered a new phase of relations, where indeed new achievements and successes are awaiting. The EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement properly reflects this new trend. Being a so-called ‘second generation’ agreement, the EPCA provides a modern and dynamic framework for our cooperation. It's also telling that Kazakhstan is the only country in Central Asia with which such agreement was signed. This year residents and guests of Astana had unique opportunity to attend several festive events in the field of culture, art and education. On May 20, a special meeting was held in the format PechaKucha Night Astana on the theme EU Activities in Kazakhstan. This year the speakers from the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan spoke about the dynamics of the development of the EU-Kazakhstan bilateral relations, the world monitor EU foreign policy activity, and about EU funded projects in Kazakhstan. The event was attended by more than 300 people, the most active 10 participants received souvenirs from the EU. The series continued with the annual Hour of Europe lectures were held in 16 schools in Astana. The ambassadors of the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Finland simultaneously conducted interactive lectures in English and German on the history of the European Union, its achievements and prospects, the economy and politics, culture and values of the European Union and its member states. Extra highlight was on special informal event Ambassadors Cafe, organized for active youth. The 50 youngsters, including students and teachers from Kazakh universities and representatives from businesses and NGOs, had the opportunity to meet with the ambassadors of 12 EU member states to discuss issues of interest to them in the sphere of the role of the EU, bilateral relations and cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan in certain areas of cooperation. “People see in the faces of ambassadors some kind of high-level people. We wanted to show that we are normal people like anyone around the table. We also enjoy communicating with students and youth. We use this opportunity to communicate; to show what the EU is; what it is doing; what the projects are; what the areas of our cooperation are; how we engage with partners, national authorities, local authorities, NGOs, human rights groups and others; how we promote trade,