Kazakhstan and the European Union
aim to expand cooperation in water resource management and agricultural
development. During the 14th meeting of the dialogue platform in Astana, Kazakh
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov highlighted the importance of working on water
infrastructure amidst the ongoing challenging flood situation in the country.
The Kazakh government has adopted the Concept of water resources management
system development. This initiative is expected to reduce water transportation
losses, enhance monitoring of irrigated lands, and modernize hydraulic
structures.
“The scale and consequences of
this natural disaster require us to adopt fundamentally new approaches for the
proper use of resources and the prevention of such emergencies in the future.
In this matter we are particularly interested in the experience and practices
of European countries and companies. Therefore, it seems important to
synchronize the efforts of the government of Kazakhstan with the assistance
programs of the European Commission,” said Bektenov.
“On the instructions of the Head
of State, we are refining the provisions of the Concept of water resources management
system development with the aim of developing comprehensive measures for flood
prevention and damage reduction. To develop effective approaches, we will study
the scientific practices of advanced countries, including the EU and the
Netherlands. This involves exploring progressive water management and flood
mitigation approaches, adopting their experiences, and studying possibilities
that could help in our efforts for immediate response,” Kazakh Minister of
Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said.
The meeting participants also
noted the fruitful cooperation within the joint agri-food mission, which aims
to promote European products in the market of Kazakhstan and increase the range
of Kazakh products in the EU markets. It is noteworthy that the trade turnover
between Kazakhstan and the countries of the European Union amounts to $42
billion. Last year, the EU invested over $10 billion in Kazakhstan’s economy.
Editor: Aizhan
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