Kazakhstan and EU should seek new opportunities for a stronger partnership

Aidos Sarym, a member of the Kazakhstan parliament, analyses the recently adopted European Parliament resolution “EU Strategy on Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Stronger Partnership”.

Aidos Sarym is a deputy of the Mazhilis (the lower chamber of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and serves as secretary of its Committee on International Affairs, Defence, and Security.

On 17 January, the European Parliament (EP) voted to adopt the Resolution: “EU Strategy on Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Stronger Partnership”.

The Resolution, a planned document of the European Parliament, reflects the MEPs’ assessment of implementing the new EU Strategy for Central Asia.

To this end, the legislators have repeatedly visited Kazakhstan and other countries in the region. The opinions of official representatives and the civil sector in Central Asia were taken into account while drafting the document.

In my view, the EP Resolution on Central Asia 2024 differs in tone compared to similar documents from past years.

This document marks the first instance where Central Asia is recognised as a region that has successfully formed its regional identity, with independent positions on certain issues of contemporary international and regional relations and unified regional opportunities in trade, investment, business and innovation.

The European Parliament recognises the convergence of global and regional challenges and threats to the European Union and Central Asia, creating new opportunities for long-term, structured, mutually beneficial cooperation.

In this regard, the European legislative body calls on the European Union to intensify its engagement with Central Asia, given its “geostrategic importance”, and to promote strategic partnerships with the Central Asian states through enhanced political and economic cooperation.

I can only welcome the MEPs’ call for increased engagement between the European Union and Central Asian states.

Indeed, there are many new avenues where we should seek stronger partnerships, such as in the green and digital transition, transport and logistics, including the development of the Middle Corridor, and critical raw materials, to name just a few.

However, it is clear that we disagree on the issue of so-called “political persecution” and “political prisoners”.

There is no decree, law, or normative document in Kazakhstan’s legislation that permits the persecution of citizens for particular political views. Moreover, the Constitution prohibits censorship in the country.

On the contrary, I would like to stress that Kazakhstan’s reforms have strengthened the system of human rights protection, freedom of expression and assembly.

Our Parliament is becoming a platform for active political debate and the expression of polarised opinions on issues of importance to our people. The principle of the rule of law – the independence and professionalism of the judicial system – is being consistently strengthened.

The main task facing Kazakhstan today is to strengthen the culture of the rule of law. The strict enforcement of law and order must ensure the equal application of the law to all – without exception. This is what Kazakhstan strives for and works on every day.

Any violation of the law is punishable. Political views and ideological preferences of people have nothing to do with law and order. According to the court’s decision, all persons listed in the resolution of the European Parliament have violated the law and are held accountable for it.

Calls to overthrow the constitutional order, violently change power, incite and finance extremist activities – in other words, to undermine the constitutional order – are strictly prosecuted under the laws of Western countries.

In the United States (18 U.S.C. § 2383), such offences can result in 10 years’ imprisonment. Similar penalties are used in Europe, including Germany and France.

The double standards of individual MEPs have long been known to me and my colleagues at the Mazhilis. Generally, they are perceived as part of the established culture in the European legislature.

Efforts to eradicate such practices are underway by European law enforcement agencies, especially in light of the ongoing corruption scandal in the European Parliament, a matter that is well-known to all.

The reputation of these legislators has long been tarnished due to financial and other irregularities, including ties to outside influence groups.

My colleagues and I are watching this process with concern.

We hope for the objectivity of European law enforcement agencies and courts to restore the reputation of this important legislative institution of Europe.