Kazakhstan’s foreign policy is barely 25 years old. After gaining independence in 1991, the country had to form international politics from scratch, because earlier the union ministry was responsible for all the main directions. Having a long common border with geopolitical heavyweights like Russia and China, the country is trying to pursue a balanced, multi-vector policy. The United States also has interests in Kazakhstan, as it is a country with a good geographical location and rich mineral reserves.
A bit of history
During the time of the Kazakh khanates, there were no foreign affairs agencies; the office of the khan and his special envoys were engaged in all international affairs. The main direction of foreign policy was aimed at expanding territories, control over trade routes and international trade. The entire development of international relations was in the hands of the khan. During the short existence of the Turkestan Autonomous Socialist Republic (after the October Revolution), the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs worked. The People's Commissariat was engaged in relations with other states, in trade and in protecting the interests of its citizens. The post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in Soviet Kazakhstan appeared in 1944, when all the republics got the right to engage in foreign policy activities, of course in a somewhat reduced form. The full-fledged Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan was established in 1991.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the central executive body that carries out foreign policy activities and manages the system of diplomatic institutions and the Foreign Ministry Information Committee. The Minister is appointed and dismissed by the President of Kazakhstan without coordination and consultation with Parliament. The head of the department is the first leader and manages the ministry, which consists of the central apparatus and foreign institutions. In 2007, the Information Committee was organized as part of the department, the main task of which is the formation of a positive image of the country in the world. The Committee implements and monitors image programs in the foreign policy of Kazakhstan.
International Policy Directions
The foreign policy of Kazakhstan at the present stage is determined by its geographical and geopolitical position. A country with rich natural resources, adjacent to China and Russia, and located near unstable Afghanistan, is simply forced to maneuver between different centers of power. Since gaining independence, the country has pursued a multi-vector international policy. Kazakhstan pursues a predictable and balanced policy, and now has become a full member of many international and integration associations. The country has the image of a serious and reliable partner. President Nazarbayev N. A. emphasized that Kazakhstan’s foreign policy is aimed at establishing good neighborly relations with Russia and China, strategic partnership with the United States and multilateral relations with the European Union. Close relations also connect the country with Turkey, as a Turkic-speaking country, and other Muslim countries. Normal, working relations are maintained with the former post-Soviet states, especially with the Central Asian ones.
Relations with Russia
The fundamental document regulating relations between Kazakhstan and Russia was the Agreement on Eternal Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, signed in 1992. The agreement established the principles of cooperation in all spheres of activity from economic to foreign policy, recognized the inviolability of existing borders. Kazakhstan has always emphasized the priority of relations with Russia, which is one of the country's main economic partners. Kazakhstan joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Russia plays the leading role. The country is an important partner of Russia in the Syrian peace process, organizing negotiations between international mediators and warring parties. Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia are partnerships in many areas of the economy and politics. At the same time, the country is trying to conduct an independent international policy. Kazakhstan is developing good relations with Ukraine and Western countries. The country holds a neutral position on the annexation of Crimea, has not recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Post-Soviet Integration
Kazakhstan has always advocated close integration ties between the former Soviet republics. Back in 1994, the President of Kazakhstan proposed the creation of the Eurasian Union. After a long process, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus created the Eurasian Economic Space, and later Kyrgyzstan and Armenia joined them. Countries now have a single economic space, with the free movement of capital, people, goods and services. Supranational governing bodies have been created. The country's leadership has repeatedly emphasized that the EAEU countries are strategic partners of Kazakhstan.
Big neighbor
Kazakhstan seeks to develop partnerships with China, the largest economy in the world and one of the main trading partners. Countries settled disputed issues on border demarcation, 57% of disputed lands, with a total area of about 1000 square kilometers, will belong to Kazakhstan, and 43% to China. Kazakhstan and China have concluded more than 50 international treaties that regulate relations between countries in all areas of activity. The countries cooperate within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Silk Road economic belt, a project that China initiated. Creating infrastructure on the transport route from China to Europe will further strengthen economic ties between the countries. China is one of the largest investors in the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan. The Khorgos Free Trade Zone operates between the countries, through which there is a flow of Chinese consumer goods to Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan's foreign policy towards China has a pronounced economic focus.
Is America Above All?
The United States was one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan and open its embassy. The basis for bilateral cooperation was the adoption by Kazakhstan of a nuclear non-proliferation and security policy. In those years, the United States allocated $ 300 million for nuclear disarmament. Kazakhstan and the United States have long and closely cooperated in the fields of investment, trade, and regional security, especially those related to Afghanistan. About 300 US companies operate in the country, and US investment has reached $ 50 billion. The American company Chevron was generally one of the first investors in the country, gaining 50% in a consortium developing the Tengiz oil field. Kazakhstan and the United States conduct joint military exercises, and units of the Kazakh army participate in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The United States calls Kazakhstan its strategic partner in the region.
Central Asian neighbors
Kazakhstan inherited difficult relations with the newly independent states of Central Asia. Kazakhstan, being the richest country in the region, with undeniable successes in market and political reforms, rightfully claims to be the leader in the region. Why the countries of the region are not enthusiastic, considering that there is another leader in the region - Russia, without which any integration issues cannot be resolved. Kazakhstan cooperates with its neighbors in the fight against terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, and migration. For all countries, the issue of Afghanistan’s stability is a matter of survival. Kazakhstan’s foreign policy towards Central Asian countries is very pragmatic. In recent years, relations with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have improved. In March 2018, the first in 13 years, Kazakhstan managed to convene a summit of the heads of the Central Asian countries in Astana.
Turkic question
Turkey became the first country to recognize independent Kazakhstan, the countries are linked by a common culture and religion. Turkey seeks to become the leader of the Turkic-speaking countries, but Kazakhstan does not want to develop special bilateral relations to the detriment of other areas. President Nazarbayev N. A. in an interview with the Turkish Prime Minister said that Kazakhstan would forever say goodbye to the "big brother" syndrome. In the multi-vector foreign policy of Kazakhstan, Turkey has a crucial role only in the field of education and culture, in view of the common history of the Turkic world. There are no big problems in relations between the two countries; positions on many international issues coincide. Countries are implementing joint projects in the transport, energy, and construction industries. Kazakhstan, having friendly relations with Russia and Turkey, contributed to the reconciliation of the parties after the incident with a downed plane in Syria.
International Organizations and Kazakhstan
After independence, an important area of the country's foreign policy is cooperation with international organizations. Since 1992, Kazakhstan has become a member of all the main institutions involved in world and regional security and economic integration. Representatives of 15 UN organizations work in the country, including UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO. The cooperation of Kazakhstan and international organizations is developing in various fields, including gender issues, the fight against drugs and crime, healthcare, humanitarian issues. Kazakhstan presided over the largest world organizations in the UN Security Council, OSCE, OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation). The country is a co-founder of such large integration associations as the SCO, CSTO, EAEU, and the CIS.
Kazakhstan and the United Nations
In March 1992, Kazakhstan joined the United Nations, becoming a 168 member. Kazakhstan’s efforts at the UN are aimed at strengthening peace, the nuclear non-proliferation regime and sustainable development. Of great importance is the initiative of President Nazarbayev N.A. voiced at the UN on the Council on measures for mutual cooperation and confidence in Asia. Three council meetings were held, which contributed to the establishment of relations between Kazakhstan and Asian countries. At the initiative of Kazakhstan in the UN, the organization’s economic committee adopted the SPECA program to promote the development of Central Asian countries. In 2017, the country became the first non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. And from January 1, 2018, Kazakhstan became the chairman of the UN Security Council.
