Italy is following with great concern the severe events taking place in Kazakhstan, a Country with which it is bound by friendly relations and a sound economic partnership, and firmly calls for an immediate stop to the use of violence which has caused several deaths among the protesters and the security forces. Italy calls for immediate action to stop the use of force and to loosen tension nationwide, in a framework of full sovereignty in line with the principles of respect for rights and pluralism set forth by the International Organizations of which Kazakhstan is a member.