1. The European Union warmly welcomes Deputy Foreign Minister, Roman Vassilenko to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his address. Minister, your remarks have very well illustrated the significance of enhanced cooperation and partnerships within the OSCE region to ensure security and stability, especially during these most challenging times for the OSCE region and beyond.
2. The EU looks forward to continue working with Kazakhstan, in the framework of our Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, on the implementation of important reforms to enable a fully transparent and competitive political environment. We will continue to support Kazakhstan’s reform and modernisation processes, as well as democracy, rule of law, human rights, stability and inclusivity in the country, for the benefit of all its people. We took note of the results of the early Presidential election in November and we welcome the efficient preparation of the elections, as well as the political and socio-economic reforms initiated by President Tokayev this year. The development of resilient democratic institutions and a strong civil society is key for Kazakhstan’s stability and development. The upcoming Parliamentary elections are an opportunity for Kazakhstan to demonstrate the effective implementation of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations.
3. Kazakhstan is an important and valuable partner of the European Union, not least in the OSCE. We both remain committed to the universal principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter and OSCE principles and commitments, as well as to international security. As we prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in February 2023, recent high-level visits to Astana and regional events demonstrate our mutual commitment in further developing our cooperation. Today, the EU is Kazakhstan’s biggest trading partner and investor, as 60% of the stock of capital invested in Kazakhstan has come from the European Union. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen value chains at COP27 earlier this year, will boost the green and digital transformation of both sides' economies and marks another milestone in our deepening partnership.
4. On a regional level, the follow-up to the Central Asian leaders’ meeting with the President of the European Council in October, as well as the EU-Central Asia Ministerial and the Samarkand EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference, which took place in November is also progressing, as we seek to identify concrete projects where the EU and Central Asia can deepen cooperation. These events are a clear demonstration of the mutual commitment between the European Union and Central Asia to strengthen cooperation on sustainable connectivity, in the context of our Global Gateway. We see a lot of opportunities in Kazakhstan to develop this strategy.
5. The European Union is committed to deepening and broadening our relations with Kazakhstan in all mutually beneficial areas, and to continue working with President Tokayev to further advance his reforms towards an inclusive, democratic and fair Kazakhstan.

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, SERBIA*, ALBANIA* and UKRAINE, the Potential Candidate Countries BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA* and GEORGIA, and the EFTA country ICELAND, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.