About: Kazakhstan

‘Almost impossible’ to rival China’s business clout in Central Asia

“China is coming with an offer nobody can refuse, while the EU is coming with an offer nobody can understand." For many in Central Asia, that phrase – although intended as a joke – best summarises the European way of doing business.

East-West corridor: ‘Hard’ versus ‘soft’ connectivity?

A conference organised by EURACTIV on ‘Global Eurasia – connectivity as a driver for peace, stability and security’ raised questions such as “greener” connectivity, in line with Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen’s priorities. But diplomats from the region were more focused on infrastructure.

Belgian investors give feedback on their Kazakh experience

The deputy foreign minister of Kazakhstan, Yermek Kosherbayev, met with a dozen Belgian investors in Brussels on Wednesday (9 October) to hear about their experience with his country and help solve potential issues.

Kazakhstan positions itself as a bridge between Asia and Europe

The main areas that Central Asia region wants to be focused on in the next years are environment protection and trade liberalization. EURACTIV.cz reports from Nur-Sultan. 

Eurasia comes together in Nur-Sultan, but differences are still big

The 21st century should be defined by cooperation between Europe and Asia. That was the message of the fourth Eurasian conference, held in Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan on Tuesday (24 September). However, differences among participants prevented it from achieving concrete results.

Kazakhstan’s new president vows to pursue controlled democratisation

Kazakhstan’s new President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered on Monday (2 September) his first major speech following his election last June, defining his policies in all fields of the economy and society.

Central Asia ministerial welcomes the EU’s new strategy for the region

Gathered in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Sunday (7 July), the Foreign Ministers of the five Central Asian countries welcomed the new EU Strategy on Central Asia recently adopted by the EU.

The new EU Strategy for Central Asia

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On 17 June 2019, the Council adopted a new EU strategy on Central Asia, adapting the EU policy to new opportunities which have emerged in the region. Central Asia has a centuries-old tradition of bringing Europe and Asia together. Kazakhstan, the...

Kazakhstan’s electoral mood calls for more ties with Europe

The European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) conducted interviews over the recent presidential elections, revealing a need for further reforms to overcome an oil-dependent economy, while further deepening ties with the European Union (EU), writes Samuel Doveri Vesterbye.

New Kazakh leader re-affirms Russia, China ties as EU criticises vote

While the European Union expressed its concerns about the 9 June elections in Kazakhstan, the newly elected leader, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has vowed to enhance cooperation with neighboring Central Asian countries, including Russia and China.

Tokayev set for victory as Kazakhstan transitions from Nazarbayev

When Kazakhs go to the polls for a presidential election on Sunday (9 June), they will face something of a novelty – the name of their first president, Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev, will not be on the ballot.

Kazakhstan: getting ready to make a new step forward

Kazakhstan, the ninth largest country in the world, with an area the size of Western Europe and a population of more than 18 million citizens, is tomorrow testing the maturity of its democracy, writes Beibut Atamkulov, the country's foreign minister.

EU-Kazakhstan: Elections, trade and transition

A small cultural contextualisation may prove helpful when discussing political reform in Kazakhstan, says Samuel Doveri Vesterbye. Here it is.

Tusk tests the waters in Central Asia

European Council President Donald Tusk did a tour of three Central Asia countries last week, including Tajikistan, where the melting Pamir Glaciers illustrate the impact of climate change and the difficulties of water management in this part of the world.

Kazakhstan calls EU’s new Central Asia strategy ‘visionary’

Kazakhstan welcomes the EU's new vision for a stronger partnership with Central Asia, particularly as it took into account the country's proposals, its deputy foreign minister told EURACTIV and called the document, due to be adopted next month, "visionary".

Bannon under fire at Kazakhstan media conference

The Eurasian Media Forum is an annual international discussion platform that has gathered hundreds of delegates from across the world in Kazakhstan since 2002. But it never got such publicity as this year, because one of them was Steve Bannon,...

What next for Kazakhstan after the elections?

The next President of Kazakhstan will have to oversee that there is no backsliding in economic, social and political reforms, and reassure international partners that the external policy of the country remains unchanged, writes Eli Hadzieva.

At Nur-Sultan forum, leaders advise focus on education

Kazakhstan is investing in human capital and plans to become one of the world’s 30 most advanced nations by 2050. At a recent conference in the capital Nur-Sultan, leaders and economists offered advice, valid also for other countries as well: to focus on education.

CAREC economic corridors: Almaty-Bishkek and many more to come

The experience of the first economic corridor in Central Asia is Almaty-Bishkek, and the second in preparation, Shymkent-Tashkent-Khujand, were highlighted as blueprints for myriads of others to follow, at a debate in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Nazarbayev: I stepped down in the interest of the people of Kazakhstan

The first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was the main speaker and the centre of attention at the 12th edition of the Astana Economic Forum on Thursday (16 May). To a wide international audience, he provided explanations for his recent...