About: Kazakhstan
With referendum, Kazakh President pushes for reforms
While the EU and US are preoccupied with the Ukraine war, they should pay attention to events in Central Asia as well, where on Sunday (5 June) a package of constitutional amendments will be approved by referendum in Kazakhstan, write Svante E. Cornell and Albert Barro.
Kazakhstan undergoes changes comparable to ‘Perestroika’
The events of January bring to a close the two-year Kazakh duumvirate with former President Nazarbayev, paving the way to a political system firmly united around President Tokayev, perceived as a reformist, writes Alberto Turkstra.Stakeholder Opinion
European Parliament resolution following Kazakhstan’s ‘tragic January’ is disappointing
It was deeply disappointing that the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the tragic events in Kazakhstan in the first days of January, which did not reflect the real situation on the ground, writes Erzhan Kazykhan.
Fallout from Kazakh unrest must not undermine decades of progress
It is crucial that after the unrest, president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev now prioritize the safeguarding of the country’s reputation as a stable country, responsible international partner, and attractive investment destination, writes Matthew Bryza.
After the protests, what debt will Kazakhstan’s leaders owe Russia?
What seems obvious after the recent protests is that Kazakhstan might become even more reliant on Russia, demonstrating a diminished ability to balance the influence of Washington and Moscow, writes Aigerim Toleukhanova.
Police reform in Kazakhstan: Effective law-enforcement close to the population
The reform of the law enforcement system has started in Kazakhstan recently as part of the overall modernisation of the country and the first evaluation of the results achieved look very optimistic, writes Yerlan Turgumbayev.
Kazakhstan is eager to share its model for interethnic accord
The experience and policy of Kazakhstan in the field of maintaining interethnic peace and harmony is of genuine interest to international organizations and states, writes Aiman Zhussupova.
The EU should maintain the Energy Charter Treaty
There are fundamental good reasons to continue protecting the investments covered by the Energy Charter Treaty as private investment will be crucial for the vast infrastructure overhauls needed to shift towards renewable energy, writes Dr Frank Umbach.Stakeholder Opinion
Kazakhstan’s economy: Short-term recovery and long-term structural transformation
Two key speeches by President Tokayev in January revealed important clues as to the direction Kazakhstan will take this and the coming years on the political, economic and social fronts. Alberto Turkstra has had a deeper look.
Step-by-step democratisation serves Kazakhstan well
Step-by-step democratisation has suited Kazakhstan’s national circumstances and interests well, writes Alberto Turkstra who visited Kazakhstan on the occasion of the 10 January parliamentary elections.
Central Asia is an obvious winner of better EU-China ties
Investment and better regional connectivity as well as an improved links with Europe may be a lifeline for the struggling Central Asian economies, writes Joel Ruet.
Kazakhstan election holds genuine strategic importance
Kazakhstan will hold its parliamentary election on 10 January with a clear intention to reach the democratic levels enjoyed in the European bloc. Despite the obvious challenges of voting during a pandemic, our government is committed to giving our citizens a voice, writes Aigul KuspanPromoted content
Kazakhstan and Pope John Paul II
100 years ago, on May 18, 1920, Karol Józef Wojtyła was born in the Polish town of Wadowice. Leading the Catholic Church since October 1978, Pope John Paul II left a bright and indelible mark in the history of mankind and...Stakeholder Opinion
Kazakhstan takes stock of its experience in constitutionalism
Today, almost thirty years after gaining its independence, the citizens of Kazakhstan can state with confidence and a sense of pride that their country is an equal and respected member of the international community and has all the signs of a well-established statehood, writes Kairat Mami.Stakeholder Opinion
Leading the way to a world free of nuclear weapons
Today more than ever, the world needs leadership in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Kazakhstan keeps providing this leadership, writes Jonathan Granoff. Jonathan Granoff is the president of the Global Security Institute. In 1949, the first of over...
Kazakhstan-EU relations entering a new stage
This New Year marks the start of a fresh chapter in the relationship between the European Union and Kazakhstan and on 20 January, the EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council will discuss the state of play, writes Mukhtar Tileuberdi.
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 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.
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.
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.
Kazakhstan and the Venice Commission
The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has provided precious support to the process of constitutional and legislative change in Kazakhstan, writes Igor Rogov.