The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a written declaration entitled “The Constitutional Referendum in Kazakhstan: A New Stage of Reforms,” in which a group of European parliamentarians expressed a positive assessment of the political and institutional reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan.
The declaration was signed by 22 members of PACE representing five political groups: the Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group (SOC), the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP/CD), the European Conservatives, Patriots and Affiliates Group (ECPA), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), as well as independent members of the Assembly. The cross-party support for the declaration reflects broad interest among European lawmakers in Kazakhstan’s ongoing political modernization.
The declaration places particular emphasis on Kazakhstan’s constitutional referendum of 15 March 2026, describing it as an important milestone in the modernization of the country’s system of governance and institutional transformation. The signatories welcome reforms aimed at strengthening checks and balances, enhancing the accountability of public institutions, expanding citizens’ access to constitutional justice, and reinforcing human rights protections.
The authors of the declaration also welcome Kazakhstan’s continued efforts to advance the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions, noting that these reforms contribute to more resilient public governance and more effective legal safeguards. The document further expresses support for expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and European institutions in the areas of democratic governance, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.
Particular attention is devoted to cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Council of Europe. The declaration highlights the constructive nature of this engagement in the fields of constitutional development, legal reform, human rights protection, and democratic governance. The signatories also express their readiness to continue supporting Kazakhstan’s reform agenda and to further strengthen cooperation with the country through the Council of Europe.
The significance of the declaration extends beyond its assessment of individual reforms. The European Union remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading and investment partner in Central Asia, accounting for around one-third of the country’s external trade and a substantial share of foreign direct investment. Brussels also views Kazakhstan as a key partner in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, cooperation on energy security, the supply of critical raw materials, and initiatives related to the green transition. Against this backdrop, institutional stability, the rule of law, and predictable governance have become increasingly important for the further development of EU–Kazakhstan relations.
The declaration describes Kazakhstan as a reliable partner in Eurasia committed to strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions. According to its authors, the country’s ongoing reforms are helping to reinforce state institutions, expand citizens’ ability to protect their constitutional rights, and further improve the system of public governance.
The adoption of the declaration underscores the continued attention that Kazakhstan’s reform agenda receives within European political circles. As dialogue between Astana and European institutions continues to deepen, the document reflects support for the country’s institutional modernisation and demonstrates the willingness of European parliamentarians to further develop cooperation with Kazakhstan.
