The European Union in its statement called on all parties to the conflict in Kazakhstan to avoid escalation and violence. This was reported by RIA Novosti.

The EU noted that the Kazakh authorities should respect the people's right to peaceful protest, but at the same time, demonstrators should not resort to violence.

In addition, the European Union expects Kazakhstan to respect freedom of the media and provide access to the situation in the country.

"Kazakhstan is an important partner of the European Union ... We count on Kazakhstan's compliance with obligations, including in matters of freedom of the press, access to information on the Internet and offline," the document says.

Earlier, several hundred protesters in Aktau seized a truck of the Armed Forces and disarmed the military. After a while, people in military uniforms joined the protesters.

Protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2 in the city of Zhanaozen, Mangistau Oblast, after the price for a liter of liquefied gas increased to 120 tenge (about 21 rubles). Before that, the price for a liter of gas was 60 tenge. Two days later, clashes between protesters and the police and the military began in Almaty and a number of other cities. Clashes also took place in Aktobe, Taraz, Aktau and other settlements.

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