Latest Articles about Kazakhstan
WESTERN MAJORS SIGN AGREEMENT OF INTENT ON TRANS-CASPIAN OIL TRANSPORT SYSTEM
As anticipated some time ago (see EDM, August 17, 2005, March 16, 2006), Moscow’s extortion of Western companies in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) on Russian territory has finally persuaded the companies to choose a trans-Caspian solution for the export of their rapidly growing oil... MORE
KAZAKHSTAN OIL OUTPUT AND EXPORT DATA DRAMATIZE NEED FOR TRANS-CASPIAN OUTLETS
Amid growing concerns over Russia’s reliability as an energy supplier and its treatment of Western investments in the energy sector, Kazakhstan stands out for its reliability on both counts. However, Russian policy is geared to ensuring a decisive -- if covert -- say on Kazakhstan’s... MORE
NAZARBAYEV APPOINTS CIVILIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
On January 10 Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev took the dramatic step of appointing Kazakhstan’s first civilian defense minister. In general terms the step will be welcomed in the West, as it sends a clear signal that the Kazakh government is interested in increasing civilian control... MORE
NEW GOVERNMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN HERALDS NO RADICAL CHANGES
The resignation of Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov caused little public reaction when it was announced on January 8. The demise of the Akhmetov era had been rumored throughout 2006, as the Kazakh government had briefly resigned last January following the December 2005 presidential elections,... MORE
AMID MOUNTING CRITICISM IN KAZAKHSTAN, BEIJING AND ASTANA SEAL NEW DEALS
On December 23 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev wrapped up his first three-day visit to Beijing since his reelection in December 2005. The trip, characterized as “a breakthrough” in bilateral relations by the official mouthpiece Kazakhstanskaya pravda, was marked by series of landmark agreements aimed at... MORE
KAZAKHSTAN AND TURKEY SPEARHEAD INTEGRATION OF TURKIC NATIONS
At least three people died and dozens of Turkish and Kazakh workers were badly injured when a fight erupted at a construction firm in Atyrau (West Kazakhstan) on October 20. The firm holds a contract with Chevron, and the incident has re-ignited public anger against... MORE
KAZAKHSTAN’S EU STRATEGY BASED ON REGIONAL ASCENDANCY
Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized regional security as a crucial strategic area of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, during a visit to London on November 21. “Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Great Britain in the field of security in the region is very important.... MORE
ASTANA PLAYS IT SAFE IN DEVELOPING TIES WITH TEHRAN
Given the tense international atmosphere surrounding Iran, Astana has prudently declined to publicize its expanding ties with Tehran and depicts bilateral relations almost exclusively in economic terms. For example, official sources in Kazakhstan made few comments about the Kazakh-Iranian business conference held in Almaty on... MORE
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA: TIME FOR CHANGE?
On November 10 John Ordway, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, attempted to play down speculation that the Republican defeat in the U.S. mid-term elections could presage changes in Washington’s priorities in Central Asia. In fact, basing his assessment on the continuity of U.S. foreign policy in... MORE
KAZAKHSTAN’S SECURITY TIES GROWING IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Kazakhstan is seeking to diversify its security interests, looking to Middle Eastern states for assistance. This trend was evident during Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s first state visit to Kazakhstan on November 7. Kazakh officials also explored potential security cooperation with Jordanian Defense Minister Maruf al-Bakhit... MORE