1. European Union Relations with Kazakhstan and Central Asia Presentation by: Ambassador Aurélia Bouchez European Union Relations with Kazakhstan and Central Asia Presentation by: Ambassador Aurélia Bouchez Head of the European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan Academic Diplomatic Club – KazGUU University Astana 4 February 2015

2. 2015: Perspectives for EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation 2015 brings new stamina into the mature and developed bilateral relations The new EU and Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) The Review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy for a New Partnership 1

3. A milestone in EU - Kazakhstan relations: the new EPCA Enhanced cooperation in 29 key areas, including economic & financial cooperation, energy, transport, environment & climate change, culture, education & research. Increasing flows of trade, services, and investments Support for the diversification of the economy and sustainable development Enhanced support for democratic political development and rule of law Bilateral cooperation on international and regional security 2

4. EU AND CENTRAL ASIA: THE LATVIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU JURIS MAKLAKOVS, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC LATVIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

5. 5 Jobs, growth and investment A connected digital single market Energy Union with a climate change policy Internal market with a strengthened industrial base Economic and Monetary Union Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership An area of Justice and Fundamental Rights based on mutual trust Towards a new policy on migrationEurope as a stronger global actor A Union of democratic change Competitive Europe A Union of jobs, growth and competitiveness A Union that empowers and protects all citizens Towards an Energy Union with a forward- looking climate policy A Union of freedom, security and justice The Union as a strong global actor Guidelines for the Commission EU’s Strategic Agenda Digital Europe Engaged Europe Overcome the economic and financial crisis Deliver more jobs and seize digital opportunities Safeguard fundamental rights and play a role in a fast changing world IT-LV-LU TRIO PROGRAMME

6. 6 COMPETITIVE EUROPE Jobs and Growth

7. 7 DIGITAL EUROPE Seizing the Opportunities of the Digital Single Market

8. 8 ENGAGED EUROPE

9. Achievements and future challenges: the EU-CA strategy Six Priority Areas:  human rights and rule of law;  youth and education;  trade and investment;  energy and transport;  environment and water;  common security threats and challenges Development Cooperation Instrument (2007-2013) €719 Million. Main areas: Rule of Law, Education and Environment Increased funding for EU bilateral and regional cooperation with Central Asia for the programming period of 2014-2020 (+56% compared to 2007-2013); 3

10. Human Rights and the Rule of Law Annual Human Rights Dialogues with all CA countries and support for civil society The Rule of Law Initiative: seminars and training workshops on access to justice, principles of fair trial, independence of judiciary, training of judges The Fourth Ministerial Conference on the Rule of Law between the EU and CA states, (Astana 14-15 October 2014) The Rule of Law Platform II (2015-2017): €1.87 million allocated 4

11. Youth and Education Kazakhstan – the first CA country member of the European Higher Education Area EU funded Central Asia Education Platform (CAE) contributing to the adaptation of the education systems of CA countries to the needs of the globalised world, € 1.8 million (2012-2015) Continued participation of CA states in the Erasmus Mundus and Tempus programmes and in the FP7 and Horizon 2020 programmes Upcoming Central Asia Research and Education Network 3 (CAREN3): €12.5 million allocated to develop an Internet network for research and education communities in CA 5

12. Economic development, trade and investment 2013-2014: trade between EU & CA increased by over 8% 88% of EU-CA trade is with Kazakhstan Support to Kazakhstan's WTO accession Support investment in CA through blending (IFCA) Looking Forward: Kazakhstan's membership with the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) will strengthen the connecting role of CA between Europe and Asia Regional economic integration processes 6

13. Energy and Transport Integration of energy markets as a key mutual interest. The INOGATE programme: over €30 million in ongoing projects Sustainable Energy Programme for Central Asia (CASEP) started in 2014: €4.5 million for 2013-2016 Expand Southern Gas Corridor Transport: more engagement for reforms in line with EU transport safety and security regulations, especially Aviation Safety 7

14. Environment and Water: EU encouraged cooperation on environment and water:  fostered dialogue on environmental themes  involved civil society in discussion forums Central Asia: a disaster prone region Projects: The Regional Environment Program for Central Asia (EURECA) 4 components, FLERMONECA ( Forest and Biodiversity Governance, Including Environmental Monitoring ) still active Disaster preparedness programme (DIPECHO): in 2014 expanded activities and ECHO office opened in Almaty 8

15. Common threats and challenges Implementation of Border Management Programme for Central Asia (upcoming BOMCA 9) and Central Asia Drug Action Programme (upcoming CADAP 6) High Level Security Dialogue with all CA states to enhance cooperation on security issues A new EU-Central Asia Drug Action Plan Joint initiative with International Centre for Migration Policy Development to improve migration management 9

16. Cooperation with Central Asia One of the Foreign Policy priorities for the Presidency; Action Plan for Central Asia aprroved; Key priority areas for the Presidency: – 1) security, – 2) education, – 3) sustainable development – environment, transport, agriculture. Political dialogue; EU-CA Strategy review. 16

17. EU in CA: progress achieved Increased EU visibility and acceptance in the region; Increased and more focused EU development assistance; Activities in the framework of the three focal initiatives (“pillars”) of the Strategy: rule of law, environment/water and education; Cooperation in confronting common challenges (EU funded programmes BOMCA and CADAP); Involvement in solving water issues; Deepened co-operation in education through ERASMUS (several thousand students). 17

18. Readjusting the approach – propositions by LVA and DEU Build on success and readjust; Augment mutual understanding with the Central Asian authorities and societies; To enhance and deepen consultations; Tailoring and differentiating between: (a) issues relevant for the region as a whole, (b) issues of concern to only a limited group of states, (c) issues best be dealt with on a bilateral basis; to foster EU’s general visibility in the region. 18

19. Areas for that deserve special attention Revitalisation of the EU - Central Asian Security Dialogue; Regional Security – border management, fight against drugs; Trade and investment; Facilitation of Eurasian land transport links; Re-establishment of EU Special Representative; Reinforced dialogue with key players in the region; Continued support for human rights, rule of law and democratisation reforms; Redouble efforts to invest in Education. 19

20. Presidency priorities in the field of trade: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP ) - main priority; EU – Canada Free Trade agreement; EU - Japan FTA; EU-Vietnam FTA; EU cooperation with the EaP and CA countries; Implementation of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with Moldova and Georgia. 20

21. Thank You! Спасибо! Рахмет!

22. QUESTIONS? 22