Since independence Kazakhstan has followed stable foreign policies in line with the West when compared to other Central Asian countries. It has an effective influence on Central Asian countries, and behaves like a leader for them. These features have made Kazakhstan important for the EU, the U.S., Turkey and also Russia in the region. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first president of Kazakhstan, has led the country since 1991. It can be said that he has successfully managed the country’s international and domestic affairs. While the country still has strong economic, political and social (Kazakhstan has a large Russian minority) relations with Russia, Kazakhstan has endeavored to cooperate with other countries, including the U.S., EU, China and India.
It is an attractive country, and it has developed good relations with all major players in the region in terms of its large territory, energy resources, and nuclear infrastructure as a legacy of the Soviet Union. Recent weeks, Sarkozy’s visit to Kazakhstan demonstrates the importance of this country for Europe. There has been a large range of agreement topics between Kazakhstan and France, the most striking of which during Sarkozy’s visit were regarding energy and military cooperation. Energy cooperation focuses not only on oil and gas but also nuclear power. Due to its position of being the world’s third uranium exporter after Australia and Canada, Kazakhstan has attracted France’s interest in energy cooperation. Also, according to the energy agreement, France and Kazakhstan improved the Hvalinkskoye gas basin by cooperating with each other. Sarkozy also declared that they plan to build the Eskene-Kurik pipeline, which will enable Kazakh oil to move from Baku to Europe. If the pipeline is completed successfully, Tengiz oil in Kazakhstan will be moved first to Baku and will continue through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to Europe. Military agreements will allow French soldiers to pass through Kazakhstan on their way to Afghanistan [to support the international mission there to provide stability and security].
When we look at Turkey-Kazakhstan relations within the framework of Nazarbayev’s Turkey visit, it can be said that the two countries have supported each other’s policies. The Turkish Foreign Ministry explained that economy, agriculture and tourism were the focus of the agreements between Turkey and Kazakhstan during Nazarbayev’s visit. In addition, the ministry emphasized that such visits are important for cooperation between the two countries in terms of regional security and energy and strengthen the amity between the two nations. Turkey has always supported Kazakhstan on international issues such as the chairmanship of OSCE and Kazakhstan also has supported Turkey’s bid for EU membership. Kazakhstan holds the chairmanship of CICA (Confederation of International Contractors’ Associations) and will be holding during 2010 as well. However, Kazakhstan is willing to be the chairman country of OSCE in 2010; therefore, it wants to leave the chairmanship of CICA to Turkey for 2010.
Economic relations have been interrupted due to the global economic crisis, though some agreements were signed by the two countries in 2007 and 2009 to improve economic relations. Following Nazarbayev’s Turkey visit, relations between the two countries have accelerated. Nazarbayev, who was accompanied by more than 200 businessmen and several ministers, addressed the Turkish parliament and later attended the Turkish-Kazakh Businessmen’s Forum in Istanbul. These relations are not only economic, but also cultural. The Turkish people have been introduced to Kazakh culture and music in Istanbul through the “Almaty Cultural Day” during Nazarbayev’s visit. Due to broad participation, this visit has ensured constructive cooperation and reinforces relations between the two countries. During this visit, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan met his counterparts Putin and Berlusconi via teleconference. Putin emphasized that the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline project has been signed in Italy and Russian officers are ready to cooperate with Kazakhstan on the pipeline. He added that negotiations are continuing between Russia and Kazakhstan. Russia attaches importance to Kazakhstan, since it shares a vast border with it and has long-established ties to Russia by virtue of its membership in the Soviet Union.
While Kazakhstan wants to maintain its closeness with Russia, it is willing to improve relations with the West. Moreover, Kazakhstan’s cooperation with China has gradually grown in terms of agreements on energy and technology. Consequently, Kazakhstan has effectively used diplomacy for improving relations with important players and powerful neighbors in the region. It seeks to balance among the East, West and Russia. Nazarbayev’s role cannot be ignored on this issue. It can be estimated that Kazakhstan will not give up the struggle to become an attractive country in Central Asia, at least during the Nazarbayev era.
Turkey-Japan Relations: The Need to Think Beyond Trade
