Contracts that contain only “framework clauses”, such as. B cooperation on investments and/or mandates for future investment negotiations. In addition to AIIs, there is also an open category of investment-related instruments (IRIs). It includes several binding and non-binding instruments, such as model agreements and drafts, multilateral conventions on dispute settlement and arbitration rules, documents adopted by international organizations and others. Since the expiry of the EC-Kazakhstan steel agreement at the end of 2006, bilateral trade in steel has been based on “autonomous measures”. These measures allow the free import of goods into the EU without customs duties or quantitative restrictions, with a few exceptions. A new agreement will replace these measures after signature. In April 2008, Kazakhstan and the EU concluded an agreement on the launch of the human rights dialogue. Human rights dialogues are an instrument of EU foreign policy, aiming to discuss issues of mutual interest, improve cooperation in the field of human rights and take initiatives to improve the human rights situation. In line with this agreement, the EU conducted its first structured human rights dialogues with Kazakhstan in October 2008.
[29] Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian partner to conclude an EBSD with the EU. . . .
