Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Cooperation, Direct Speech, EU – CIS

This article was published before the opening of Expo 2017. Expo 2017 is an International Exposition scheduled to take place between June 10 and September 10, 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The expo's theme is "Future Energy".

“Our country plans to promote its interests in the most remote countries and regions. This problem cannot be solved in the initial period of independence when the agenda had completely different issues. It is today, when Kazakhstan is being established as a stable and dynamically developing country and has set a strategic goal to 2050, preconditions have emerged to pursue a larger and ambitious foreign policy” - Yerlan Idrisov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In the third decade of its independence Kazakhstan has entered as a stable state with a vibrant economy and well-set foreign policy priorities. An increasing role of Kazakhstan, international authority of the state, increasing regional weight, increase in value for global economy has been proved by an increased personality of Kazakhstan on the global stage.

At the same time, taking into account modern realities of the foreign policy, Kazakhstan requires modernization and promotion of national interests on the principles of pragmatism. This process is affected by a number of internal and external factors.

Among the important internal factors should be noted dramatic changes in the political and socio-economic development of Kazakhstan, the completion of transformation period, and the country's transition to a new long-term strategy and sustainable development until 2050.

External factors are presented with the need to overcome the negative effects of the global financial and economic crisis, the escalation of conflict, the emergence of a qualitatively new geopolitical and geo-economic situation at the regional and global levels.

Kazakhstan’s foreign policy goals

In accordance with national interests of Kazakhstan, main foreign policy efforts will be focused on achieving such basic purposes as the utmost national security, defence capability of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, peace, regional and global security, the establishment of a just and democratic global order with the central and coordinating role of the United Nations (UN), further integration into regional and international trade and economic relations, to strengthen the unity of multi-ethnic society, industrial and technological development and increase the competitiveness of the national economy, protection of rights of citizens and legal entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, their personal, family and business interests abroad, support of Kazakh diaspora and Kazakh language abroad, rigid attitude and formation of a positive image of state in the global community.

Kazakhstan foreign policy priorities and objectives

Kazakhstan is interested in a politically stable, economically sustainable and safe development of Central Asia. Being aware of its responsibility and role in the region, the country will make all-out efforts to ensure regional stability and security, countering new challenges and threats. It will seek to promote regional integration in Central Asia to reduce conflictogenic potential.

Long-term goal is seen in transformation of the region into a single integrated subject of international politics and economy. Kazakhstan will strengthen the Eurasian Economic Union considering the Eurasian economic integration as one of the most effective ways to promote the country on a stable position in the system of global economic relations. As part of this process such fundamental principles will be complied as the inviolability of political sovereignty, economic justification of decisions, phasing, pragmatism and mutual benefit, equal representation of parties in all organs of integration and consensus at all levels of integration cooperation. In addition, Kazakhstan will continue to work to complete the international legal formalization of the state border, determination of legal status of the Caspian Sea and strengthening of stable and friendly relations between the coastal states on the basis of universally recognized principles and norms of international law.

Within the United Nations, the CIS, CICMA, CSTO, SCO, OSCE, OIC, TURKSOY, the main objectives are to ensure the national interests in different areas, constructive participation and contribution to international efforts to strengthen regional and global security, promotion of Kazakhstan's foreign policy initiatives.

Regarding strengthening of regional and global security, Kazakhstan stands for the resolution of regional and international conflicts within the existing internationally recognized negotiation formats. Kazakhstan's position is based on fundamental UN principles for preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states within their internationally recognized borders, the search for peaceful ways to resolve disputes on the basis of the provisions specified in the documents for crisis resolution, first of all, the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Country priorities

Based on the Good Neighbourliness and Alliance Agreement in the XXI century the country will continue to strengthen relations With the Russian Federation in all spheres of political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

It will deepen strategic cooperation with China within the framework of political dialogue at the highest levels, develop energy, investment and technology, trade and economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, cooperation in transit transport sector, agricultural sector, the sphere of shared water resources of transboundary rivers and ecology.

The development of multifaceted relations of Kazakhstan with the states of Central Asia - Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan focused on bringing together the region's countries to jointly cope with internal and external challenges and threats.

Kazakhstan will continue traditional and mutually beneficial cooperation with Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, as well as with South Caucasus states - Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and Georgia, occupying an important place in the system of political, economic and transit-transport interests of our country.

Kazakhstan attaches great importance to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with the Republic of Turkey, which is based on common historical roots and cultural values ​​of the two nations. Mutually beneficial cooperation with Iran is based on mutual interests in economic and trade, transit and transport sectors, ensuring stability in the Caspian Sea.

Strengthening strategic partnership with the United States is aimed at the development of political, trade-economic, investment, energy, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation, the solution of urgent issues of international agenda.

Efforts will be made to develop full-scale relations with the European Union - the biggest trade-economic and investment partner of Kazakhstan, to conclude new agreement on expanded partnership and cooperation, liberalization of visa regime with the prospect of a gradual transition to a visa-free regime for citizens of Kazakhstan and the European Union.

Asian vector of foreign policy

Efforts will be aimed at enhancing economic, investment and technological cooperation with the countries of East, South, South-East Asia, the Asia-Pacific region and their regional associations. Cooperation with Japan and South Korea will be focused on application of new technologies, promotion of the development of Kazakhstan's education system in various areas, strengthening dialogues “Central Asia + Japan” and “Central Asia and the Republic of Korea”.

Continue to support joint efforts of international community on issues of national reconciliation and political settlement in Afghanistan, to participate in social and economic development of this state, the elimination of regional and global security threats.

Cooperation with the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will be directed to the promotion of political, trade and economic relations and cooperation in international organizations.

Having close historical and spiritual links with the Middle East countries Kazakhstan is interested in a stable and sustainable development of the region, and will build partnerships with them in all spheres of mutual interest. The practice of coordination of joint activities and mutual support within the UN, OIC, CICMA and other international organizations will be continued.

Thus, Kazakhstan's foreign policy is based on the principles of multi-vector, balance, mutual benefit and solid defence of national interests. Kazakhstan is committed to equality of all countries in the world, taking into account mutual interests and non-interference in internal affairs of each other, as well as promotes peace and collective solution of international problems and conflicts on the basis of the UN Charter and the rule of international law.