Plenary sitting
7.3.2012 B7‑0135/2012
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
on Kazakhstan ( 2012/2553(RSP) )
Charles Tannock, Janusz Wojciechowski, Valdemar Tomaševski, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Ryszard Czarnecki, Tomasz Piotr Poręba
on behalf of the ECR Group
European Parliament resolution on Kazakhstan ( 2012/2553(RSP) )
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Kazakhstan and Central Asia,
– having regard to the EU Strategy for Central Asia,
– having regards to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Kazakhstan and the negotiations for a new PCA,
– having regard to the statement by EU HR/VP Catherine Ashton on the events in the Zhanaozen district of 17 December 2011,
– having regard to the Statement by EU HR/VP Catherine Ashton on parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan of 17 December 2011,
– having regard to the OSCE/ODIHR preliminary election observation report on the election that took place on 15 January 2012,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas relations and cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Kazakhstan have been growing at all levels; whereas Kazakhstan plays a crucial role with regard to the stability and security of Central Asia and the economic development of the region as a whole; whereas the EU has very good relations and dialogue with Kazakhstan;
B. whereas on 17 February 2012 the President of Kazakhstan signed several laws aiming at improving the legal basis for labour relations, worker’s rights and social dialogue;
C. whereas the strike of oil workers in the city of Zhanaozen in the province of Mangistau and other regions of Kazakhstan has been ongoing since spring 2011 and riots with violent clashes took place on 16 December 2011;
D. whereas the President of Kazakhstan called for a full investigation of the events establishing a government commission headed by the first deputy prime minister and inviting international experts to participate in the investigation process;
E. whereas Kazakhstan took the chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 and committed itself to a series of democratic reforms and to respect the basic principles of this organisation;
F. whereas the EU and Kazakhstan are negotiating a new agreement that should replace the expired Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and is aimed at enhancing and deepening relations between the EU and Kazakhstan;
1. Stresses the importance of the relations between the EU and Kazakhstan and strengthening the economic and political cooperation in all areas; welcomes the start of the negotiations for a new agreement that should replace the expired Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA);
2. Takes note of the preliminary election observation report of OSCE/ODIHR, OSCE PA and PACE, that the parliamentary elections of 15 January were technically well organised and conducted;
3. Welcomes the legal changes in the last months aiming at introducing more parties which can submit candidates for election to parliament;
4. Expresses deep concern regarding the events that took place on 16 December 2011 in Zhanaozen where at least 16 people died and 110 other were injured; extends its condolences to the families of the victims; welcomes the establishment of a government commission headed by the first deputy prime minister to investigate the events in an objective and transparent fashion;
5. Calls on the Kazakh authorities to ensure legal due process for the participants of the riots and to respect their fundamental human rights;
6. Calls on the Kazakh authorities for an open and constructive social dialogue with the oil workers and calls to find an appropriate solution;
7. Calls on the EU and in particular the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs to report regularly on the developments to the European Parliament;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the HR/VP, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.