About: Kazakhstan
‘Clumsy’ resolution risks alienating EU from Kazakhstan, MEP says
The European Parliament's recent resolution on Kazakhstan is "clumsy" and detrimental both for the bilateral relations and the credibility of the EU, Bulgarian MEP Ivo Hristov (S&D) told EURACTIV on Wednesday (3 March).
Fugitive kleptocrat supports protest in Kazakhstan
Police in Kazakhstan detained dozens of protesters on Sunday (28 February) who were calling for the release of political prisoners in line with a resolution passed by the European Parliament.
Kazakhstan repatriates ‘foreign fighters’ from Syria
Kazakhstan has repatriated another group of its nationals who have been in Syria alongside terrorist forces. Unlike some EU countries that are reluctant to take back their nationals, Kazakhstan is making the effort to re-integrate them, but also punish those guilty of terrorism.
Kazakhstan holds parliamentary elections
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree scheduling the parliamentary elections for the Majilis for 10 January 2021. The elections are seen as another step in the process of “controlled democratisation” of the former Soviet republic.
International observers to monitor Kazakhstan election despite COVID challenge
The Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan has completed the accreditation of observers of international organisations and foreign states for the 10 January elections, media in the Central Asian nation reported.
Kazakhstan abolishes capital punishment
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree abolishing the death penalty in Kazakhstan, according to a statement released by his office on Saturday (2 January).
Russian court sentences Kazakh kleptocrat to 15 years in prison
A Russian court sentenced on Tuesday (29 December) the former chairman of Kazakh BTA Bank's board of directors, Mukhtar Ablyazov, to 15 years in prison, Russian media reported. The story of Ablyazov, a fugitive for years, has been turned into a book as a striking example of the ability of post-Soviet kleptocrats to benefit from Western “hospitality”.
Climate, Eurasian Union presidency among Kazakhstan’s 2021 priorities
Virtual conferences held in the run-up to Kazakhstan’s Independence Day on Wednesday (16 December) revealed the country’s priorities for 2021, including tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering on the Paris climate agreement and presiding over the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Kazakhstan seeks to improve its human rights record
Kazakhstan, a post-Soviet country which has been repeatedly criticized by Western rights group, is passing legislation to improve its standing on human rights.
‘We have to be observers’ in Kazakh elections, MEP says
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Parliament has yet to decide whether it will send observers to Kazakhstan's parliamentary elections in January.
Fearing Turkish role, France wants international supervision in Nagorno-Karabakh
France wants international supervision to implement a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict amid concerns in Paris that Russia and Turkey could strike a deal to cut out Western powers from future peace talks, the presidency said on Thursday (19 November).
EU, Central Asia touch base virtually in turbulent times
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen held a teleconference on Tuesday (17 November) with ministers from the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, with which the EU is trying to forge closer relations.
Kazakh leader calls for bioweapons agency to address ‘global dysfunction’
"Reaching a COVID-19 vaccine trade and investment agreement" should be a top priority for global leaders, and could help take "politics out of the vaccine," Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (23 September).
Kazakhstan suspends three airlines for breaking UN Libya embargo
Kazakhstan has barred three air carriers from operating for violating a UN Security Council embargo covering the supply of arms to Libya, the Central Asian country's government said Wednesday (23 September).
Kazakhstan says it has secured supplies of Russian COVID-19 vaccine
Kazakhstan has signed a deal to get supplies of Russia’s first potential COVID-19 vaccine once clinical trials are complete, the Central Asian nation’s government said on Wednesday (26 August). The government did not say how many doses of the vaccine...
Kazakhstan takes measures to offset relaxation of COVID-19 measures
The international community recognised the successes of the measures taken by Kazakhstan during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring. Things have changed since then, however, and this time, Kazakhstan needs to respond to an increase of cases resulting from relaxation of measures.
Kazakhstan’s ‘unique’ leadership transition marks its first anniversary
On 12 June, Kazakhstan will mark the first anniversary of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's election as president. EURACTIV looks into the unique transition of power between Nursultan Nazarbayev, who re-established statehood after the Soviet domination, and Tokayev, who spearheads 'controlled democratisation'.
Kazakhstan adopts a new law on rallies encouraging pluralism
Kazakhstan adopted the new law on peaceful assemblies, continuing its path of “controlled democratisation" with more liberal legislation that analysts said is helping to develop strong multi-party democracy.
Putin sets new date for Red Square military parade postponed over coronavirus
President Vladimir Putin set a new date of 24 June for a grand Red Square military parade he was forced to postpone over a coronavirus outbreak that is still triggering thousands of new infections each day.
Kazakhstan approves new green projects in a bid to cut fossil fuels in half by 2050
Kazakhstan‘s new leadership, faced with concurrent challenges of volatile oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic, has approved nineteen new renewable energy projects worth $1.1 billion in the country’s latest effort to go green and diversify its energy supply. To date,...
Kazakhstan fends off allegations it is developing biological weapons
Kazakhstan is not developing biological weapons or researching their possible use against other countries, its ministry of foreign affairs said on Saturday (2 May), denying allegations circulated in Russian and domestic media that the country is working on biological weapons similar to COVID-19
Kazakhstan builds COVID-19 hospital in just two weeks
In only 13 days, Kazakhstan has built a new hospital for patients infected with coronavirus in the capital Nur-Sultan, a feat comparable only to what China achieved earlier this year.
Kazakhstan provides humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, Kazakhstan has offered humanitarian aid to its Central Asian neighbours Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, answering a request by Bishkek and Dushanbe.