The European Union is ready to help Kazakhstan with a peaceful settlement of the crisis. This is stated in a statement, the link to which posted on Twitter on Saturday, January 8, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
Brussels is concerned about the violence “erupted after peaceful protests” in that country, and reminds that Kazakhstan is an important partner of the EU, in particular within the framework of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and also plays a central role for stability in the Central Asian region.
“We are ready to provide assistance for a peaceful settlement of the crisis,” the document says. It emphasizes that those providing “external military support” must “respect the sovereignty and independence of Kazakhstan, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens.”
“It is important to prevent further escalation”
“We deeply regret the loss of life and strongly condemn large-scale acts of violence. It is important to prevent further escalation, avoid any incitement to violence, exercise restraint on an ongoing basis and avoid using the riots for other purposes,” the Brussels stressed. They also called on the Kazakh authorities to comply with their obligations “in this difficult time”, to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms of their citizens, in particular, the possibility of assembly, expression and independence of the media.
On January 6, the European Union already demanded that the Russian Federation adhere to the sovereignty and independence of Kazakhstan against the background of sending Russian airborne troops to this country. The tasks of the forces transferred to Kazakhstan will be “the protection of state and military facilities, assistance to the forces of law and order,” said the secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In addition to Russia, other members of the organization sent their armed forces to Kazakhstan: Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Gas Price Protests
The rallies that began in western Kazakhstan to lower prices for liquefied gas grew into massive protests throughout the country. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accepted the resignation of the government led by Askar Mamin. A state of emergency (state of emergency) has been introduced throughout the country. A tense situation remains in a number of cities. On January 5, the head of state turned to the CSTO for help.
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