The Presidency of the European Union has been closely following events over the course of the Parliamentary Elections held in Kazakhstan on 18 August. The Presidency of the EU welcomes the progress noted in the Preliminary Findings and Conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission. 

The Presidency of the EU welcomes that the election campaign and voting on the day took place in a generally calm and informed environment. The Presidency of the EU takes note of the efforts of the Central Election Commission towards enhancing transparency of the electoral process and welcomes the good cooperation election observers enjoyed with the authorities.

The Presidency of the EU also takes note of the assessment of the International Observation Mission that the 18 August Parliamentary Elections failed to meet a number of international standards, in particular with regard to elements of the new legal framework and the vote count.

The Presidency of the EU calls on the Government of Kazakhstan to proceed with the election legislation reform process and to bring the election law in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.

The EU stands ready to assist Kazakhstan in this regard in all fora, including the OSCE.