About: Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and Belarus to discuss oil supply deal
Kazakhstan and Belarus will discuss an oil supply deal before 20 January, Kazakhstan Energy Minister Nurlan Nogayev told reporters on Wednesday (15 January), without explaining the significance of that date.
Political reform in Kazakhstan is also an answer to a global problem
The recent reforms introducing more democracy in Kazakhstan are also an answer to a global problem – how to respond to the lack of public confidence in leadership around the world, writes Shavkat Sabirov.
Kazakhstan’s leadership opens up to ‘alternative opinion’
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a major agenda-setting speech on Friday (20 December), outlining measures to improve the economy and social standards, but also introducing several democratic reforms.
Kazakhstan president reshuffles key positions
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has unexpectedly reshuffled key government positions on Wednesday (18 December), three weeks after signing a law that makes cabinet ministers directly responsible for corruption among their subordinates.
Kazakh strategist: The EU is a precious, but undervalued partner
On the sidelines of a conference dedicated to Kazakhstan’s experience with the presidential model of governance, EURACTIV spoke to Sanat Kushkumbayev, a prominent foreign policy analyst, about Kazakhstan's diplomatic and geopolitical efforts, including its relations with China and the EU.
Central Asia leaders meet again in sign of increased regional cooperation
A five-way summit hosted by Uzbekistan’s President Shavket Mirziyoyev took place in the Kuksaroy Palace in Tashkent, the country's capital, on Friday (29 November). The second meeting of Central Asia leaders in as many years focused on geopolitics and stability, but also on environmental concerns.
Yerman Mukhtar: We don’t build walls in the steppe
In a wide-ranging interview, Yerman Mukhtar, the chairman of the Kazakh parliament's committee on foreign affairs, defence and security, explains his country's foreign policy initiatives, known as 'the Three Dialogues'.
Expert: Nazarbayev pushed Russia and Ukraine to meet in Paris
In a wide-ranging interview, Ariel Cohen, a US lobbyist with ties to Kazakhstan, spoke about the various international initiatives of the Central Asian country, including improving US-Russia relations, finding a solution to the Ukraine crisis, nuclear arms control and more.
Strong state power – the case of Kazakhstan
From the early stage of its post-Soviet transition, Kazakhstan has consolidated strong state power to avoid chaos. Today, as the country is considered successful at home and internationally, this centralisation is being reduced and tribute is being paid to the one person who steered the country during the last 30 years.
New Kazakh leadership: What impact for EU-Kazakhstan relations?
Following the presidential elections on June 9th, Kazakhstan has a new leader, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He is the second president to be elected after almost thirty years of uninterrupted rule by Nursultan Nazarbayev, who occupied the position since the fall of the Soviet Union.
‘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
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.