(f) international auditing standards and the Code of Ethics of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), with the aim of improving the professional level of auditors by means of observance of standards and ethical norms by professional organisations, audit organisations and auditors.
Chapter 12. Cooperation In the Area of Banking, Insurance and other Financial Services
Article 221.
The Parties agree on the importance of effective legislation and practices and to cooperate in the area of financial services with the objectives of:
(a) improving the regulation of financial services;
(b) ensuring effective and adequate protection of investors and consumers of financial services;
(c) contributing to the stability and integrity of the global financial system;
(d) promoting cooperation between different actors of the financial system, including regulators and supervisors;
(e) promoting independent and effective supervision.
The Parties shall promote regulatory convergence with recognised international standards for sound financial systems.
Chapter 13. Cooperation In the Area of Information Society
Article 222.
The Parties shall promote cooperation on the development of the information society to benefit citizens and businesses through the widespread availability of information and communication technologies (ICT) and through better quality of services at affordable prices. This cooperation shall aim at promoting the development of competition in, and openness of, ICT markets as well as encouraging investments in this sector.
Article 223.
Cooperation shall cover, inter alia, exchange of information and best practices on the implementation of information society initiatives, focusing notably on:
(a) developing an effective regulatory framework for the ICT sector;
(b) promoting broadband access;
(c) developing interoperable electronic services;
(d) ensuring data protection; and
(e) developing roaming services.
Article 224.
The Parties shall promote cooperation between the regulators in the field of ICT, including electronic communications, in the the European Union and Republic of Kazakhstan.
Chapter 14. Cooperation In the Area of Tourism
Article 225.
The Parties shall cooperate in the field of tourism with the aim of strengthening the development of a competitive and sustainable tourism industry as a generator of economic growth, empowerment, employment and exchanges in the tourism sector.
Article 226.
Cooperation shall be based on the following principles:
(a) respect for the integrity and interests of local communities, particularly in rural areas;
(b) the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage; and
(c) positive interaction between tourism and environmental preservation.
Article 227.
Cooperation shall focus on the following topics:
(a) exchange of information, best practices, experience and know-how, including on innovative technologies;
(b) establishment of a strategic partnership between public, private and community stakeholders in order to support the sustainable development of tourism;
(c) promotion and development of tourism products and markets, infrastructure, human resources and institutional structures as well as the identification and elimination of barriers to travel services;
(d) development and implementation of efficient policies and strategies including appropriate legal, administrative and financial aspects;
(e) tourism training and capacity building in order to improve service standards; and
(f) development and promotion of tourism involving local population and other types of tourism in a sustainable manner.
Chapter 15. Cooperation In the Area of Agriculture and Rural Development
Article 228.
The Parties shall cooperate to promote agricultural and rural development, in particular through progressive convergence of policies and legislation.
Article 229.
Cooperation shall cover, among others, the following areas:
(a) facilitating the mutual understanding of agricultural and rural development policies;
(b) exchanging best practices in the planning, evaluation and implementation of agricultural and rural development policies;
(c) sharing knowledge and best practices with regard to rural development policies to promote social and economic well-being for rural inhabitants;
(d) promoting the modernisation and the sustainability of agricultural production;
(e) improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and the efficiency and transparency of the markets;
(f) exchanging experience in geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs, in quality policies and their control mechanisms, in ensuring food safety and in the development of the production of organic agricultural products;
(g) disseminating knowledge and promoting extension services to agricultural producers;
(h) promoting cooperation in agro-industrial investments projects, in particular in the development of the livestock and crop sectors;
(i) exchanging experience in policies related to sustainable development of agribusiness and the processing and distribution of agricultural products.
Chapter 16. Cooperation on Employment, Labour Relations, Social Policy and Equal Opportunities
Article 230.
The Parties shall promote the development of dialogue and cooperate on promoting the ILO Decent Work Agenda, employment policy, living and working conditions and health and safety at work, social dialogue, social protection, social inclusion and anti-discrimination, as well as fair treatment of workers legally residing and working in the other Party.
Article 231.
The Parties shall pursue the goals covered by Article 230, including through cooperation and exchange of practices in the following areas:
(a) improving the quality of life and ensuring a better social environment;
(b) enhancing social inclusion and the level of social protection for all workers and modernising social protection systems in terms of quality, accessibility and financial sustainability;
(c) reducing poverty and enhancing social cohesion and the protection of vulnerable people;
(d) combating discrimination in employment and social affairs in accordance with each Party's obligations under international standards and conventions;
(e) promoting active labour market measures and improving efficiency of employment services;
(f) aiming at more and better jobs with decent working conditions;
(g) improving living and working conditions, as well as the level of protection of health and safety at work;
(h) enhancing gender equality by promoting the participation of women in social and economic life and ensuring equal opportunities between men and women in employment, education, training, economy, society and decision making;
(i) improving the quality of the labour law and ensuring a better protection for workers;
(j) enhancing and promoting social dialogue, including increasing the capacity of social partners.
Article 232.
The Parties reaffirm their commitments to effectively implement the applicable ILO conventions.
The Parties, taking into account the Ministerial Declaration of the UN Economic and Social Council on Generating Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All of 2006, recognise that full and productive employment and decent work for all are key elements of sustainable development.
The Parties shall encourage, in line with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998, the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, in particular social partners, in their respective social policy development and in the cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan under this Agreement.
The Parties shall aim at enhancing cooperation on decent work, employment and social policy matters in all relevant fora and organisations.
Chapter 17. Cooperation In the Area of Health
Article 233.
The Parties shall develop their cooperation in the field of public health with a view to raising the level of protection of human health and reducing health inequalities, in line with common health values and principles, and as a precondition for sustainable development and economic growth.
Article 234.
Cooperation shall address the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including through exchange of health information, promoting a health-in-all-policies approach, cooperation with international organisations, in particular the World Health Organisation, and by promoting the implementation of international health agreements, such as the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of 2003 and the International Health Regulations.
Title V. Cooperation In the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Article 235. Rule of Law and Respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
In their cooperation under this Title, the Parties shall attach particular importance to the promotion of the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, access to justice and the right to a fair trial, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Parties shall cooperate in strengthening the functioning of institutions, including law enforcement, prosecution, the administration of justice and the prevention of, and fight against, corruption.
Article 236. Legal Cooperation
The Parties shall develop cooperation in civil and commercial matters as regards the negotiation, ratification and implementation of relevant multilateral conventions on civil judicial cooperation and, in particular, the conventions of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
The Parties shall enhance cooperation in criminal matters, including on mutual legal assistance. This may include, where appropriate and subject to applicable procedures, accession to, and implementation of, the Council of Europe conventions in criminal proceedings by the Republic of Kazakhstan, implementation of the relevant UN international instruments, and cooperation with Eurojust.
Article 237. Protection of Personal Data
The Parties shall cooperate in order to ensure a high level of protection of personal data, through the exchange of best practices and experience, taking into account European and international legal instruments and standards.
This may include, where appropriate and subject to applicable procedures, accession to, and implementation of, the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data and its additional Protocol by the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Article 238. Cooperation on Migration, Asylum and Border Management
1. The Parties affirm the importance that they attach to management of migration flows. Cooperation shall be based on mutual consultation between the Parties and shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant legislation in force.
2. Within the framework of the cooperation to prevent and tackle irregular migration, the Parties agree that:
(a) the Republic of Kazakhstan shall readmit any of its nationals irregularly present on the territory of a Member State of the European Union, upon request by the latter and without undue delay; and
(b) each Member State of the European Union shall readmit any of its nationals irregularly present on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, upon request by the latter and without undue delay.
3. The Member States of the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan shall provide their nationals with appropriate identity documents for the purposes of paragraph 2 without further formalities other than those referred to in this Article and without undue delay. Where the person to be readmitted does not possess any documents or other proof of his nationality, the competent diplomatic and consular representations of the Member State concerned or the Republic of Kazakhstan shall, upon request by the Republic of Kazakhstan or the Member State concerned, make arrangements to interview that person in order to establish his nationality without further formalities and without undue delay.
4. The Parties agree to establish a comprehensive dialogue on relevant migration-related issues in line with the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility, inter alia, with a view to considering the possible negotiation of an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan regulating the specific obligations for the Member States of the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on readmission, including an obligation for the readmission of nationals of other countries and stateless persons, as well as with a view to considering possible negotiation, in parallel, of an agreement on visa facilitation for citizens of the European Union and of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Article 239. Consular Protection
The Republic of Kazakhstan agrees that the diplomatic and consular authorities of any Member State of the European Union represented in the Republic of Kazakhstan shall provide protection to any national of a Member State of the European Union that does not have an accessible permanent representation in the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the same conditions as to nationals of that Member State of the European Union.
Article 240. Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism
The Parties shall cooperate in order to prevent the use of their financial and relevant non-financial sectors to launder the proceeds of criminal activities in general and drug offences in particular, as well as for the purpose of financing of terrorism, in accordance with international standards on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, as adopted by the Financial Action Task Force. This cooperation extends to the recovery, seizure, confiscation and return of assets or funds derived from the proceeds of crime.
Cooperation shall allow exchanges of relevant information within the framework of the relevant legislation and international commitments of the Parties.
Article 241. Illicit Drugs
The Parties shall cooperate on a balanced and integrated approach to drug issues, notably on issues of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors. Drug policies and actions shall be aimed at reinforcing structures for tackling the supply of, and the demand for, illicit drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, through the enhancement of the coordination and strengthened cooperation between the competent authorities aiming at reducing trafficking in, the supply of, and the demand for illicit drugs, enhancing preventive measures, treatment and rehabilitation, and with due regard to human rights.
Cooperation shall also aim to reduce drug-related harm, to address the production and use of synthetic drugs and to achieve effective prevention of the diversion of drug precursors used for the illicit manufacture of drugs and psychotropic substances.
The Parties shall agree on the means of cooperation to attain those objectives. Actions shall be based on commonly agreed principles along the lines of the relevant international conventions and instruments and of the European Union — Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs.
Article 242. Fight Against Organised and Transnational Crime and Corruption
The Parties shall cooperate with the aim of preventing and fighting against all forms of organised, economic, financial and transnational criminal activities, including smuggling and trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, embezzlement, fraud, counterfeiting, forging of documents, and public and private corruption, through full compliance with their existing international obligations in this field.
The Parties shall promote the enhancement of bilateral, regional and international cooperation among law enforcement bodies, including the exchange of best practices and possible cooperation with agencies of the European Union.
4. The Parties are committed to effectively implementing the relevant international standards, in particular those enshrined in the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) of 2000 and its three Protocols, and the UN Convention against Corruption of 2003. Cooperation may include, where appropriate and subject to applicable procedures, accession to, and implementation of, Council of Europe relevant instruments on preventing and combating corruption by the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Article 243. Fight Against Cybercrime
The Parties shall strengthen cooperation, including through exchange of best practices, with the aim of preventing and combating criminal acts committed using electronic communications networks and information systems or against such networks and systems.
Title VI. Other Cooperation Policies
Chapter 1. Cooperation on Education and Training
Article 244.
The Parties shall cooperate in the field of education and training with a view to promoting the modernisation of the education and training systems in the Republic of Kazakhstan and convergence with policies and practices of the European Union. The Parties shall cooperate in order to promote lifelong learning and encourage cooperation and transparency at all levels of education and training. The Parties shall, furthermore, place emphasis on measures designed to foster inter-institutional cooperation, encourage mobility for students, academic and administrative staff, researchers and young people, and encourage the exchange of information and experience.
The Parties shall promote unified coordination of education system activity according to European and international standards and best practices.
Chapter 2. Cooperation In the Field of Culture
Article 245.
The Parties shall promote cultural cooperation that respects cultural diversity, in order to enhance mutual understanding and knowledge of their respective cultures.
The Parties shall endeavour to take appropriate measures to promote cultural exchanges and encourage joint initiatives in various cultural spheres.
The Parties shall consult and develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the framework of multilateral international treaties and international organisations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The Parties shall further exchange views on cultural diversity, aiming, inter alia, to promote the principles of the Unesco Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions of 2005 and implement projects under the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2013 — 2022 proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.
The Parties shall promote joint activities, programmes and plans, as well as the exchange of best practices in the field of training and capacity building for artists and cultural professionals and organisations.
Chapter 3. Cooperation In Research and Innovation
Article 246.
The Parties shall promote cooperation:
(a) in all areas of civil research and scientific and technological development, on the basis of mutual benefit and subject to appropriate and effective protection of intellectual property rights; and
(b) to encourage the development of innovation.
Article 247.
Cooperation shall include:
(a) policy dialogue and the exchange of scientific and technological information;
(b) exchanging information and best practices regarding innovation and the commercialisation of research and development, including support instruments for technology-based business start-ups, cluster development and access to finance;
(c) facilitating adequate access to the respective research and innovation programmes of each Party;
(d) increasing the research capacity in research entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and facilitating their participation in the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation of the European Union and in other potential initiatives financed by the European Union;
(e) developing and promoting joint projects for research and innovation;
(f) promoting the commercialisation of results obtained from joint research and innovation projects;
(g) facilitating new technology access to domestic markets of the Parties;
(h) arranging training activities and mobility programmes for scientists, researchers and other staff engaged in research and innovation activities in both Parties;
(i) facilitating, within the framework of applicable legislation, the free movement of research workers participating in activities covered by this Agreement and the cross-border movement of goods intended for use in such activities;
(j) other forms of cooperation in research and innovation, including through regional approaches and initiatives, on the basis of mutual agreement.
Article 248.
In carrying out the cooperation activities set out in Article 247, synergies should be sought with regional and other activities carried out within the broader framework of financial cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan as set out in Articles 261 and 262.
Chapter 4. Cooperation In the Media and Audiovisual Fields
Article 249.
The Parties shall promote cooperation in the media and audiovisual fields, including through exchange of information and training for journalists and other media, cinema and audiovisual professionals.
Article 250.
The Parties shall exchange information and best practices in promoting the independence and professionalism of the media, based on the standards set in the applicable international conventions, including those of Unesco and the Council of Europe, where appropriate.
Chapter 5. Civil Society Cooperation
Article 251. The Parties Shall Continue and Strengthen Their Dialogue, In the Form of Meetings and Consultations, and Shall Cooperate
On the role of civil society, with the following objectives:
(a) to strengthen contacts and exchange information and experience between all sectors of civil society in the European Union and in the Republic of Kazakhstan, enabling civil society representatives from a Party to become acquainted with the processes of consultation and dialogue with public institutions and social partners used by the other Party, with a view, in particular, to further engaging civil society in the public policy-making process;
(b) to ensure the involvement of civil society in the relations between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular in implementing this Agreement;
(c) to encourage greater capacity building, independence and transparency in civil society and to support its role in the economic, social and political development of the Parties.