Conference notes IRRI-KIIB

Summary of the Conference

" Kazakhstan's role in Central Asia and
its relations with the European Union"

H.E. Kassymzhomart Tokaev,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Brussels, 4 October 2006

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This is not an official record of proceedings and specific remarks are not necessarily attributable.

Mr. K. Tokaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, gave a clear and comprehensive overview of external relations and internal priorities of his government.

External relations

Central Asia

    Kazakhstan is a part of Central-Asia and has been recognised as a leader in this region. Central-Asian countries have a promising and big market, provided "we create conditions to develop trade", said Mr. Tokaev. The region has strategic value because of its immense natural resources, but it also faces big challenges, like international terrorism, religious extremism, proliferation of weapons, lack of water resources, drug trafficking, etc. These problems have great repercussions not only for neighbouring regions, but globally.  The Minister stressed that regional cooperation must prevail in order to secure safety and stability.

Afghanistan

   

Mr. Tokaev underlined that Afghanistan is an important country in Central Asia. He mentioned the very useful talks with NATO and EU. He believes Kazakhstan has a good opportunity to be involved in the reconstruction process of Afghanistan. The minister called up the international community "to render its real assistance to prevent a collapse of Afghanistan". He is concerned about the economic restoration and the problem of drug trafficking which affects neighbours and Europe.

Russia & China

   

Kazakhstan has managed to develop a stable relationship with Russia and China.  The historic importance of the demarcation of the borders with all neighboring countries has to be underscored. Kazakhstan has its longest border with Russia. "We are grateful to Russia to demarcate the longest border in the world. We're convinced that Kazakhstan needs Russia and we're hopeful that Russia needs Kazakhstan", said Mr. Tokaev. The Minister further referred to the Treaty on cooperation and mutual assistance and the Treaty on eternal friendship and alliance with Russia.

    Kazakhstan has succeeded to increase cooperation with China and trade is also developing between the two countries. There is an agreement on the export of crude oil and other natural resources to China. Within 9 months, the country will build a comprehensive pipeline to China which is a joint project. This is seen as very promising in terms of cooperation with China. "The fact that China is a member of WTO doesn't pose any serious challenges for us and trade between us is developing", underlined Mr. Tokaev.

Shangai Organisation of Cooperation, CIS and the Eurasian Economic Commonwealth

    As Kazakhstan advocates regional integration, it places strong emphasis on supporting regional and international institutions.
    The Foreign Minister defended the SCO quite forcefully. He characterized it as an open and peaceful organization, and as useful for combating international terrorism, economic cooperation and humanitarian contacts. Its future is seen as very promising by Mr. Tokaev. We should not forget that more than half of the population of the globe is a member of the SCO. Recently, the applications from Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia to become observers have been accepted.
    Kazakhstan is chairman of Commonwealth of Independent Countries and it prepares a reform program. According to the Minister, all member countries want CIS to survive and to continue its activities.
    Kazakhstan also wants to play an enhancing role in the Eurasian Economic Commonwealth as it offers a opportunity for mutual trade and regional cooperation.

EU, US

   Kazakhstan not only focuses on the region, but it also enjoys close political ties and economic contacts with the United States and the European Union. "Recently, we had talks with President Bush who regards Kazakhstan as a strategic partner in Central-Asia", said Mr. Tokaev. He mentioned that the US has rendered support for Kazakhstan's WTO accession and for its Initiative on the Conference on Security and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

 

Domestic priorities

    Minister Tokaev explained the policy towards religions. Kazakhstan is seen by the international community as a model of interethnic dialogue and inter-religious tolerance. In September 2006, Kazakhstan hosted the Second Congress of the Leaders of World Religions. Kazakhstan did not experience any dispute on the issue of contradictions between various religions. It ensures tolerance of,  and accord among, all faiths. Among the factors having a very positive impact are the Assembly of People's Kazakhstan, a unique agency and the focus on education of the people. Furthermore, Kazakhstan has successfully transformed its economy into a liberal economy. Mr. Tokaev assured the public that the investment climate is very good and financial ratings are high. He also emphasised that the rule of law is the basis of stability and security in his country.

    Kazakhstan is also focusing on the continuing structural reforms. The Minister then referred to the ambitious program of President Nazarbayev to join the world's most competitive nations in the nearest future through enhanced diversification and raising competitiveness of the economy.  Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, such as oil and gas, and it is well known for other mineral resources like chrome, uranium and copper. "But, this is only a basis for developing technologies and innovations. Kazakhstan plans to build a competitive financial and technical hub", said Mr. Tokaev. 
In his address, he made clear that education is the basis for developing Kazakhstan as a modern, democratic society.  He also stated that "without modern tools, technologies from the West and good education, it is impossible to develop Kazakhstan". Thus, specialists from abroad are invited to help to achieve his goals.

 

Q&A session:

Questioned on Kazakhstan's participation and interest in the NATO, he said the IPAP Program is launched which shows our commitment. Tokaev stressed that his country is providing its territory for supplying equipment of the international coalition into Afghanistan. "This is our real contribution to the reconstruction of that country". They also prepare for the upcoming visit of President Nazarbayev to NATO Headquarters. The implementation of the Kazakhstan's Individual Partnership Action Plan with the Alliance agreed in January 2006 will be discussed. Concerning the practical aspects of defense cooperation, the Minister added: "In science, training of staff and exchange of info, we have achieved real progress".
Furthermore, the Minister said the Organisation of Collective Security is an important political and military organisation. Kazakhstan was one of the co-sponsors as early as '92.

When an audience member asked him about Kazakhstan's wish to preside OSCE, the Minister said that they are still in the process of consultations. Kazakhstan is a unique country in geographical terms: 96% of its territory is situated on the Asian continent, but 4%, a huge territory, is located on the European continent. "We call ourselves 'Eurasians'. Our candidacy for the chairmanship of OSCE is important to draw the attention of the international community and the EU to the problems of our part of the world".

On the relations between the EU and Kazakhstan, he responded that his objective is to enhance cooperation with the EU. These days, he will have talks with Javier Solana, several members of the European Commission, including its Vice-President in charge of Enterprise and Industry Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson. "We need expertise from the EU, technical assistance, consultations with experts and further talks on the WTO accession", he said.

Concerning risk investment on the long term and trade development with Russia, Minister Tokaev underlined strongly that the Russian market is one of the most promising markets in the world. He sees no tendencies between the two countries. There is a close economic cooperation with Russia in many areas, such as transport of natural resources. As to the investment climate, the position of the government is solid. The improvement of investment climate should be based on the preservation of the contracts, no matter how many years ago they have been signed.

 

Further information:

- Official site Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfa.kz/eng/index.php?news=1&selected=105

- Interview with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Kassymzhomart Tokaev ("New Europe", October 2006): http://www.mfa.kz/eng/index.php?news=1&selected=127

- The Shangai Cooperation Organisation: http://www.sectsco.org/

- About the Commonwealth of Independent states: http://www.cisstat.com/eng/cis.htm

- OSCE - Press release: Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister elaborates on bid for 2009 OSCE Chairmanship
http://www.osce.org/pc/item_1_21875.html