Kazakhstan occupies a significant place in Central Asia and enjoys high authority in the region, said Ravshan Nazarov, senior research fellow at the Institute of State and Law of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in an interview with Kazinform Agency.
Mr. Nazarov, what important events have taken place in Central Asia in recent years, in your opinion, and how has Kazakhstan influenced them?
If we talk about economic development and regional cooperation, it should be noted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have demonstrated significant successes in economic development, claiming leadership in the region. Kazakhstan, with its rich natural resources, including oil and uranium, attracts the attention of the world community and expands opportunities for mutual trade, emphasizing the geopolitical importance of Central Asia.
Another initiative that concerns food security. It was Kazakhstan that proposed developing a Strategic Plan for Ensuring Food Security in Central Asia until 2030. The plan includes the creation of a single information platform for analysis and data exchange between the five countries in the region, which will help strengthen cooperation and stability.
In addition, in December 2020, Kazakhstan established the International Development Agency “KazAID“. The agency's goal is to implement state policy in the field of official development assistance, with a priority on Central Asia and Afghanistan. KazAID systematizes humanitarian assistance, strengthens political, economic and cultural ties with partner countries, and facilitates the implementation of Kazakhstan's international obligations.
The countries of the region also pay special attention to strengthening youth ties, educational exchanges and cooperation to enhance the potential of the younger generation. The holding of events in this area has become systematic, which has contributed to the creation of a platform for youth dialogue in Central Asia. Kazakhstan has actively supported these initiatives, recognizing the importance of youth cooperation for the sustainable development of the region.
In 2024, Kazakhstan took steps to diversify its oil export routes, considering increasing supplies through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to 20 million tons per year. This strategy is aimed at reducing dependence on Russian transit routes and strengthening the country's energy security.
What is Kazakhstan's role in strengthening the authority of Central Asia in the international arena?
Kazakhstan has established itself as a reliable guarantor of stability in the region. The country confidently conducts dialogue at the global level, joining forces to address current challenges, which confirms its status as a reliable partner and support in the region.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with his extensive diplomatic experience, continues to strengthen Kazakhstan's positions in the region. In particular, in his article “The Revival of Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity” (August 2024), he emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and integration in achieving shared prosperity. His initiatives are aimed at raising the authority of the countries of the region in the international arena, which helps strengthen the role of Kazakhstan as a leader in Central Asia.
Tokayev has also repeatedly stated the country's special regional status, based on the strength of the economy, high authority in the international arena, and participation in a number of multilateral structures. Uzbekistan and other countries view Kazakhstan as a key economic partner in Central Asia. Experts note that Kazakhstan, under Tokayev's leadership, is making significant steps towards modernizing the economy, as well as diversifying and improving the business climate in the country. In addition, the Kazakh president constantly speaks of the Central Asian countries as a friendly and united five states that develop cooperation among themselves and jointly conduct a dialogue with the world's centers of power.
Why has the CA+ format become important now?
The cooperation formats “Central Asia + European Union“, “Central Asia + China“, “Central Asia + USA“, “Central Asia + Russia“ play a key role in the development of the region, contributing to the strengthening of political, economic and cultural ties.
The EU sees Central Asia as a strategically important region, investing in projects aimed at supporting democratic transformation, economic development and security. Kazakhstan, with its significant energy reserves, plays a key role in the EU's energy policy. A summit between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union is planned for April 2025. Kazakhstan, as one of the leading participants, seeks to strengthen partnership relations with the European Union, which reflects its desire to integrate into global economic and political processes.
China is actively expanding its presence in Central Asia, promoting the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, aimed at developing infrastructure and trade ties. Kazakhstan, thanks to its geostrategic location, is an important link in this project, providing transit routes and helping to strengthen economic ties between China and Europe.
The United States seeks to strengthen cooperation with the countries of Central Asia through the 5+1 format, focusing on security, economic development, and democratization. Kazakhstan is a reliable US partner in the region, facilitating the implementation of joint projects and initiatives. In 2020, the United States launched a new Central Asia strategy aimed at strengthening the independence of the countries of the region, integrating Afghanistan, and promoting human rights reforms. Kazakhstan, as a key US partner in the region, is actively participating in the implementation of this strategy, contributing to strengthening the sovereignty and economic prosperity of Central Asia.
Russia has historically had close ties with the countries of Central Asia, supporting cooperation within the EAEU and the CSTO. Kazakhstan, as an active participant in these organizations, plays an important role in strengthening integration processes and ensuring regional security.
Thus, Kazakhstan, due to its strategic location and active foreign policy, acts as an important participant in various formats of cooperation, contributing to progress and stability in Central Asia.
The news was published on the basis of an information exchange agreement between Fakti.bg and Kazinform