The European Union (EU) special envoy David O'Sullivan stated during a visit that Kazakh companies may be added to the sanctions list.
According to Zakon.kz, at a meeting in Astana the special envoy raised issues of preventing the supply of military goods to the Russian market. O'Sullivan noted that the EU is currently preparing a new 16th package of sanctions. He did not rule out that Kazakh companies could also be added to the list.
"In this regard, I would like to emphasise once again that only those companies for which we have irrefutable evidence that they are involved in activities violating sanctions are added to the list", the statement said.
It is noted that the EU is concerned about the possible use of Kazakhstan to circumvent sanctions and resell goods used in Russian armaments.
"Kazakh companies were also identified during the inspection. They were included in the list only because they were involved in illegal trade and facilitated the Russian military-industrial industry. This has been done to ensure compliance with the sanctions we have imposed", David O'Sullivan said.
In conclusion, he added that the share of military goods does not exceed 1% of total trade turnover and has no significant economic importance.
Recall that in February 2024, the European Union published another package of sanctions against Russia and related companies from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Turkey and other countries.
The sanctions lists also included the Kazakh LLP "Elem Group". It was suspected of "supporting the Russian military-industrial complex" and "participating in the circumvention of trade restrictions".
Shortly before this, the Ministry of Trade reported, that the company had not carried out any import or export activities since 2023 and is in the process of liquidation. In June, Japan also imposed sanctions against "Elem Group".
In January of this year, Japan expanded the sanctions list, including 31 organisations from six countries, among them the Kazakh company "Da Group 22". The restrictions, which have come into force, concern goods for the development of chemical weapons and components for special equipment.