SPEECH/06/783
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Response to Speech by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev
Dinner in honour of President Nursultan Nazarbayev Brussels, 5 December 2006
Mr President
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the European Commission I’d like to thank President Nazarbayev for his interesting and thought-provoking remarks.
Since its independence Kazakhstan has developed with impressive speed and intensity. Indeed I saw for myself when I visited in October the dynamism and energy of the Kazakh economy and people.
The last 15 years have seen great achievements in the economic sphere, and I am confident you will achieve your goal and join the ranks of the world’s top 50 economies.
Mr President, tonight is about you and about Kazakhstan. So I will not take the floor for long. I will just say a few words about the European Union’s relations with your country and how we could assist you with your national reform programme.
The European Union has not always paid Central Asia the attention it deserves. For many years we were focused on our immediate neighbours. But now we want to redress the balance and establish deeper and more solid relations.
That’s why I visited Kazakhstan in October. That’s why we are currently developing a paper on EU-Central Asian relations. And that’s why I am particularly pleased to be with you here tonight.
We very much welcome and support the programme you laid out for us. As you mentioned, the European Commission has already actively promoted Kazakhstan’s progress in some areas. But there is also much more we can do together. I would particularly highlight governance, border management, energy, and trade and investment.
First, governance and democratic reforms. I could not agree more with you, Mr President - democracy is an essential prerequisite for economic and political development. The EU prioritises governance and democratisation projects and would be delighted to work more closely with your government as you work towards fulfilling your goals.
Second, energy. Earlier today we signed a memorandum of understanding which gives us an important basis for developing our relationship. Just a few days ago in Astana, Commissioner Piebalgs attended the second Ministerial conference between the EU, the Black Sea and the Caspian states. Just as the EU needs reliable energy suppliers, so Kazakhstan needs reliable markets. I propose we develop a common roadmap for our future cooperation.
Third, border management. We all face the challenges of fighting terrorism, money laundering and trafficking in drugs and people. Unfortunately, Kazakhstan and its neighbours confront a particularly difficult situation. The EU is already funding a major border management project in Central Asia. But we would like to do more to help.
Fourth, education and greater personal contacts. When I was in Astana I spoke to the students and staff of the Eurasian National University and I emphasised to them that we want to increase the range and number of contacts between us. In particular we want more of our young people to have a chance to get to know one another – after all, our youth are our future! Education is an essential area for investment and we are standing by to offer you our assistance, starting next year by giving more fellowships to young people from Kazakhstan and its neighbours.
Mr President,
Let me close by thanking you again for your stimulating presentation. You have set yourselves an ambitious programme, but I am confident Kazakhstan’s people have the determination and skill to see it through. And you can count on the EU to be your partner and friend in helping you fulfil your pledges and take your rightful place among the world’s 50 most competitive nations.
Thank you.
