Article 1 
1. The Commission is hereby authorised to open negotiations for an agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan on facilitating the issuance of visas to citizens of the European Union and of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 2. The negotiations shall be conducted on the basis of the negotiating directives of the Council set out in the addendum to this Decision.
Article 2 
1. The negotiations shall be conducted in consultation with the Visa Working Party, which is hereby designated as the special committee provided for in Article 218(4) TFEU. 2. The Commission shall regularly report to the special committee referred to in paragraph 1 on the steps undertaken pursuant to this Decision and consult it on a regular basis. 3. Whenever so requested by the Council, the Commission shall report to the Council on the conduct and the outcome of the negotiations, including in writing.
Article 3 
This Decision is addressed to the Commission.