Issue of granting market economy status to Kazakhstan discussed in Brussels
BRUSSELS. April 28. KAZINFORM /Dimash Syzdykov/ Issues of granting market economic status to Kazakhstan have been discussed today within bilateral consultations in format of Kazakhstan - European Union with participation of the OSCE Chairman-in-office, Kazakh Secretary of State - Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev.
As Chairman of the International Information Committee of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry Roman Vasilenko noted, the USA granted this status to Kazakhstan in 2002. "To date 85% of the economic of Kazakhstan belongs to private hands. We expect that this status will be granted to our country in the nearest future as long as there are no reasons for refusal", he noted.
Astana submitted application to the European Commission for receiving the market economy status in June, 2004 within the EU anti-dumping investigations. The European Commission promised to consider the application of Kazakhstan during 2010.