Kazakhstan's foreign policy is barely 25 years old. After gaining independence in 1991, the country had to form an international policy practically from scratch, because previously 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 US also has its own interests in Kazakhstan, as it is a country with a good geographical position and rich mineral resources.
A bit of history
During the time of the Kazakh khanates, there were no foreign policy departments yet, all international affairs were handled by the office of the khan and his special envoys. The main direction of foreign policy was directedto expand territories, control 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 Commissariat of Foreign Affairs worked. The People's Commissariat was engaged in relations with other states, trade and protection of the interests of its citizens. The post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in Soviet Kazakhstan appeared in 1944, when all the republics received the right to engage in foreign policy activities, of course, in a somewhat truncated form. A full-fledged Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan was formed in 1991.
Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry
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 Information Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister is appointed and dismissed by the President of Kazakhstan without the consent and consultation of the Parliament. The head of the department is the first head and manages the ministry, which consists of the central office and foreign institutions. In 2007, the Information Committee was organized as part of the department, the main task of which is to form a positive image of the country in the world. The Committee implements and controls image programs in the foreign policy of Kazakhstan.
International Politics
The foreign policy of Kazakhstan at the present stage is determined by its geographical and geopolitical position. Country withrich in natural resources, neighboring China and Russia, and being close to unstable Afghanistan, it is simply forced to maneuver between various centers of power. Since gaining independence, the country has pursued a multi-vector international policy. Kazakhstan is pursuing a predictable and balanced policy, and has now become a full member of many international and integration associations. The country has an image of a serious and reliable partner. President N. A. Nazarbayev 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 Treaty of 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 main economic partners of the country. Kazakhstan joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Russia plays a leading role. The country is an important partner for Russia in the Syrian peace process, hosting negotiations between international mediators and warring parties. Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia are of a partnership nature on many issues of economics 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 maintains a neutral position on the annexation of Crimea, has not recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Post-Soviet integration
Kazakhstan has always stood for close integration ties between the former Soviet republics. Back in 1994, the President of Kazakhstan proposed the creation of a Eurasian Union. After a long process, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus created the Eurasian Economic Space, later Kyrgyzstan and Armenia joined them. Countries now have a single economic space, with 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 world's largest economy and one of the main trading partners. The countries have settled disputes on the demarcation of the border, 57% of the disputed lands, with a total area of about 1,000 square kilometers, will belong to Kazakhstan, and 43% - to China. Kazakhstan and China have signed more than 50 internation altreaties that regulate relations between countries in all spheres of activity. The countries cooperate within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Silk Road Economic Belt, a project initiated by China. The creation of 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 Chinese consumer goods flow to the countries of Central Asia. Kazakhstan's foreign policy towards China has a pronounced economic focus.
America First?
USA was one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan and open its embassy. The basis of bilateral cooperation was the adoption by Kazakhstan of a policy of nuclear non-proliferation and security. In those years, the United States allocated $300 million for nuclear disarmament. Kazakhstan and the United States have long and closely cooperated in the field of investment, trade, 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 one of the first investors in the country, having received 50% in the consortium developing the Tengiz oil field. Kazakhstan and the United States conduct joint military exercises, and Kazakh army units participate in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The US calls Kazakhstan its strategic partner in the region.
Central Asian neighbors
Kazakhstan inherited difficult relations with the newly independent states of Central Asia as a legacy of the collapsed empire. Kazakhstan, being the richest country in the region, with undoubted success in market and political reforms, rightfully claims to be the leader in the region. To which the countries of the region are not enthusiastic, believing that there is another leader in the region - Russia, without which any integration issues cannot be resolved. Kazakhstan cooperates with its neighbors in the field of combating 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 the Central Asian countries is very pragmatic. Relations with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have improved in recent years. In March 2018, for the first time in 13 years, Kazakhstan managed to convene a summit of the heads of Central Asian countries in Astana.
Turkic issue
The first country to recognize independent Kazakhstan was Turkey, the countries are connected by a common culture and religion. Turkey aspires 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 N. A. Nazarbayev, in a conversation with the Prime Minister of Turkey, said that Kazakhstan had said goodbye forever to the "big brother" syndrome. In the multi-vector foreign policy of Kazakhstan, Turkey has the most important role only in the field of education and culture, due to the common history of the Turkic world. There is no relationship between the two countriesbig problems, positions on many international issues coincide. The 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 the downed plane in Syria.
International organizations and Kazakhstan
After independence, an important direction of the country's foreign policy is cooperation with international organizations. Since 1992, Kazakhstan has become a member of all major institutions dealing with global and regional security and economic integration. Representative offices of 15 UN organizations operate in the country, including UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, and WHO. Cooperation between Kazakhstan and international organizations is developing in a variety of areas, including gender issues, the fight against drugs and crime, he althcare, and humanitarian issues. Kazakhstan chaired 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, CIS.
Kazakhstan and the United Nations
In March 1992, Kazakhstan joined the United Nations, becoming the 168th member. The efforts of Kazakhstan in the UN are aimed at strengthening peace, the regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and sustainable development. The initiative of President N. A. Nazarbayev is of great importance. voiced at the UN for the Council on Mutual Measurescooperation and trust in Asia. Three meetings of the council were held, which contributed to the establishment of relations between Kazakhstan and Asian countries. At the initiative of Kazakhstan in the UN, the economic committee of the organization adopted the SPECA program to promote the development of the countries of Central Asia. In 2017, the country became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the first time. And from January 1, 2018, Kazakhstan became the chairman of the UN Security Council.
OSCE Chairmanship
International recognition of Kazakhstan, achievements in reforming the political system and developing a free market economy has become Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the OSCE. The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe deals with security issues, conflict resolution, and economic cooperation. Cooperation between Kazakhstan and the OSCE was aimed at improving the political and judicial system, the human rights institution in the country. In the regional plan, programs are being implemented to strengthen transboundary security, regulate water resources, and energy. An important area of cooperation is the fight against illegal migration initiated by Kazakhstan. The election of the OSCE Chairmanship in 2010 indicates that the country is recognized as a leader in the region, promoting liberal values, including a market economy, democracy and tolerance.
