The EU made the following declaration, "The EU welcomes...

The EU made the following declaration, "The EU welcomes the moratorium on the death penalty introduced in Kazakhstan by presidential decree on 18 December 2003. The EU notes with satisfaction that this moratorium has taken immediate effect, and will stand until a decision is made on complete abolition of the death penalty in Kazakhstan. The EU considers that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. It affirms its objective of working towards universal abolition of the death penalty. The EU encourages the government of Kazakhstan to continue its valuable co-operation wit the OSCE in the democratic development of its country".