(14 January 2026 | Source: Centralmedia24.kz)
A discussion of an international agreement in the Mazhilis turned into a tough exchange about the personal responsibility of government representatives.
The Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration, Aidar Abildabekov, who was speaking in place of the minister, stated that he does not oversee a number of the issues raised, after which he received a sharp rebuke from the Speaker of the House, Yerlan Koshanov.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MEETING
The incident occurred during the consideration of a bill on the ratification of the Agreement on the Harmonised System of Origin of Goods in the EAEU, reports Centralmedia24.kz.
During the discussion, deputies asked the Vice-Minister several clarifying questions about the document, but Aidar Abildabekov said that he could not answer them straight away.
According to him, the topics raised fall outside the scope of his direct responsibility, and more precise explanations could be provided by other, more experienced staff at the ministry. The Vice-Minister asked for permission to answer the questions in writing at a later time.
THE SPEAKER OF THE MAZHILIS'S REACTION
This stance drew a sharp reaction from Speaker Yerlan Koshanov. He reminded those present that the minister is currently on a foreign work trip and that Abildabekov is acting in his stead.
According to Koshanov, the deputies' questions concerned exclusively the bill under discussion and relate to the day-to-day work of the relevant department. He stressed that a ministry representative coming to parliament must be prepared to answer all questions within their area of competence.
The Speaker also stated that if a ministry is not prepared, it should send a different rapporteur.
WHAT THE AGREEMENT IN QUESTION WAS ABOUT
The bill under discussion concerned the ratification of an agreement, signed on 4 December 2023, which establishes uniform rules for determining and confirming the origin of goods exported outside the Eurasian Economic Union.
The document itself aims to unify the approaches of EAEU countries to confirming the country of origin of products for export and introduces a single control procedure, including to prevent grey re-export schemes.