About: Nursultan Nazarbayev

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.

Kazakh FM: We had no choice but to call the Russian troops

Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi said on Tuesday (18 January) the situation in his country was normalising, following the unrest that shook it in the first days of the new year, and Russian troops, which he said helped prevent a possible coup d'etat, were withdrawing.

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.

Insider’s account: The Kazakhstan unrest

A trusted EURACTIV source in Almaty gave a rare first-hand account of the Kazakhstan unrest that shook up the Central Asian country in the first days of 2022.

Kazakh president fires rare criticism at predecessor after unrest

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued rare criticism of his long-ruling predecessor Tuesday (11 January), and said he expected Russian-led forces to leave the troubled Central Asian country in the next 10 days.

Russia-led troops to start leaving Kazakhstan

A Russia-led military bloc will begin withdrawing its troops from Kazakhstan in two days' time after fulfilling its main mission of stabilising the Central Asian country after serious unrest, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Tuesday (11 January).

Kazakh president removes ex-leader Nazarbayev from post amid unrest

Kazakhstan's president stripped his powerful predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev of a role as head of the country's security council on Wednesday (5 December) after demonstrators stormed and torched public buildings in the republic's worst unrest for more than a decade.

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.

Political scientist: COVID-19 will not become a brake for Kazakhstan election

Kazakhstan is holding parliamentary elections on 10 January, expected to further bolster the soft democratic reform process in the Central Asian country. In a wide-ranging interview, political scientist Mukhit-Ardager Sydyknazarov explained the political landscape and the stakes ahead of the ballot.

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.

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 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.

Russia’s EU ambassador: The fall of the Berlin Wall was ‘a victory of common sense’

In a wide-ranging interview, Russia’s Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov spoke about gas transit talks with Ukraine, NATO and EU enlargement, nuclear arms control, Russia’s sales of the S-400 anti-aircraft system, the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and Brexit.

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.

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".

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.