Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13653 | 16 December 2014

The relations of the Council of Europe with Kazakhstan

Signatories: Mr Axel E. FISCHER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Pedro AGRAMUNT, Spain, EPP/CD ; Ms Theodora BAKOYANNIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Ms Sybille BENNING, Germany, EPP/CD ; Ms Tinatin BOKUCHAVA, Georgia, EPP/CD ; Mr Oerd BYLYKBASHI, Albania, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernd FABRITIUS, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Hans FRANKEN, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Mr Valeriu GHILETCHI, Republic of Moldova, EPP/CD ; Mr Francesco Maria GIRO, Italy, EPP/CD ; Ms Anette HÜBINGER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL ; Mr José MENDES BOTA, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Mr Philipp MIßFELDER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Italy, SOC ; Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria, SOC ; Mr Andreas SCHOCKENHOFF, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Samad SEYIDOV, Azerbaijan, EC ; Ms Chiora TAKTAKISHVILI, Georgia, ALDE ; Mr Volker ULLRICH, Germany, EPP/CD ; Ms Gisela WURM, Austria, SOC ; Mr Jordi XUCLÀ, Spain, ALDE

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Kazakhstan is a member State of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and has signed several Council of Europe conventions. Most recently, the country ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime (ETS No. 141). This closer co-operation is to be welcomed as an important step in the aim of the Council of Europe to promote democracy, the rule of law and respect of human rights also beyond its borders, in particular in neighbouring countries.

The Parliament of Kazakhstan signed a co-operation agreement with the Parliamentary Assembly in 2004 and sends parliamentary delegations to its sessions. Kazakhstan is the only country with such a co-operation agreement. No other co-operation agreements have been signed since, because this form of co-operation has de facto been replaced by the “Partner for democracy” status.

Eight years ago, in its Resolution 1526 (2006) on the situation in Kazakhstan and its relations with the Council of Europe, the Assembly considered Kazakhstan to be one of the pillars of stability in the Euro-Asian region. At the same time, the Assembly expressed its concerns as regards human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

A new report should examine the current situation and, where appropriate, develop proposals for further co-operation. Given the current situation in the region, the Assembly should examine whether it would be useful to intensify co-operation, in particular with the Parliament of Kazakhstan, and whether the necessary requirements are met.