European direction is one of the most important in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. Cooperation with Europe which has huge economic and technical potential, rich and useful integration traditions as well as sound experience in democracy, all these matters are specially important for Kazakhstan. President of Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nazyrbayev N. had drawn big interest to European integration experience from the very beginning. In his opinion European integration practice is does applicable to post-Soviet reality from point of view of historical specific and mentality of corresponding states. In many of his speeches and articles he often mentions European integration experience. That’s why Kazakhstan has serious intentions to cooperate with European Union.
Political, trade and investment cooperation between Republic of Kazakhstan and European Union is carried out on basis of bilateral Partner Agreement (BPA) signed on January 23, 1995 in Brussels by President Nazyrbayev N. and EU Council Chairman Mr. Jupe A. On April 30, 2004 Expansion Protocol was signed which involved 10 new countries (members of EU) into BPA.
It’s necessary to highlight that since agreement came into force, active dialog is being carried out on bilateral basis by following bodies of European Union: Cooperation Council on level of Senior Officials, Sub-Committee on Trade, investment, energy, transportation and ecology, and Sub-Committee on Justice on level of experts which are industry auxiliary bodies of Cooperation Committee. Relationships between Parliament of Kazakhstan and European Parliament are considered within work of Parliament Cooperation Committee “Republic of Kazakhstan – European Union”.
The beginning of official political contacts of Kazakhstan with EU is March 2, 1992. President Nazyrbayev hosted delegation of EU headed by Vice-President Andriyasyan F. On December 1-2, 1993 Kazakhstan Head officially visited Brussels and there was negotiations with President of European Committee Mr. Delor. Z. Agreement was signed between EU and RK to open representative offices. Important steps of cooperation were visists of Mr. Nazyrbayev N. to Brussels in June 2000 and November 2002. During visits there were meetings with Head of Euro Commission Mr. Prodi R. and Superior Representative of EU on matters of foreign policy and security General Secretary of EU Mr. Solana H.
Kazakhstan plays strategic role in the Region and encourages active realization of different programs and initiatives of EU in the country. Kazakhstan supports EU efforts to struggle with global threats including regional programs to secure borders (RPSB), drug smuggling in Central Asia as well as stabilization and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
Since that time both parties are constantly expanding joint dialog. Today EU takes leading positions as general partner for Kazakhstan on many parameters. There is active development in following spheres: trade, investments, energy, transport, justice. Two important documents are being realized: State program “Road to Europe” and EU strategy in Central Asia. Thanks to the programs strong fundamentals of partnership have been created, perspective projects have been launched in economic, political and humanitarian spheres.
Within the last four years EU continues to be the first partner for Kazakhstan in economic and investments spheres gaining Russia and China. One can say that today EU is trade partner for Kazakhstan in the world. Goods turnover between partners in 2009 was 28.8 billion USD. EU share is 40% in total goods turnover of Kazakhstan.
One can say that these numbers are conspicuous, despite global crisis they are nine times exceed 2002 indicators and more than two times 2005 indicators. Level of partnership in this sphere with Kazakhstan is equal to partnership with seven other states of Central Asia taken together. In these conditions Kazakhstan is ready to become “gates” for EU to Central Asia. For these, Kazakhstan has all conditions, natural and land resources to create regional technological hub and develop productions for export to Russia, China and Central Asia.
It’s of big importance cooperation of Kazakhstan and EU in energy sector. In global dialog of states and international structures energy sector plays important role in last years. This theme became more important after gas disputes between Ukraine and Russia.
Energy sector is one of the most important for Kazakhstan to cooperate with EU. Today Kazakhstan is third large supplier of energy to Europe from non-OPEC countries. For example, share of oil supply in some EU countries is quite high. For instance, Romania – 30%, Austria – 25%, in Switzerland Kazakhstan supply takes the second place. Kazakhstan provides up to 20% of total import of energy in EU countries.
Currently EU considers Kazakhstan as leader of economic development and fundaments of stability in the Region as well as alternative supplier of energy.
Instability in Persian Gulf as main source of energy import as well as decreasing role of supplies from North Sea and desire of EU to decrease dependence on Russia makes Central Asia and mainly Kazakhstan important alternative source of carbons for Europe.
As far as investment cooperation is concerned EU takes leading positions here too. About 56 bln. USD or more than one third of total foreign investments to Kazakhstan economy are from EU countries. In its turn Kazakhstan had invested more than 10 bln. USD to EU economy.
In April 2010 President Nazyrbayev N. discussed investments to Kazakhstan economy with President of European investment bank Mr. Maishdat F. European investment bank is autonomous structure in EU and makes decisions on strategic matters: it finances projects to balance development not only in EU but beyond it too. Signing of bilateral agreement which regulates activity of EIB in Kazakhstan allows enhance development of investment policy of Kazakhstan to European direction. In terms of corresponding mandate EU expects EIB to attract investments in the amount of 1 bln. Ruro.
Kazakhstan has to take most important things from cooperation with Europe – new technologies, knowledge and experience. As it’s known the core of European achievements is they are fundamental.
Innovation direction of Europe coincides with aims of Kazakhstan. That’s why we have to pay special attention to competitiveness of European education.
Europe has had very high level in education system. Results of these efforts are development of innovations, successful development of new technologies, leading economy structure, production of competitive products.
Today Kazakhstani Institutes has broad cooperation practically with all European Universities where more than 20 ths. of our students study there. Joint Universities are operating in Kazakhstan including partners from Great Britain, Russia, Germany. Joint programs are being realized with Universities from France, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain. There is big potential of new “Nazyrbayev University”.
Time has come for new approaches. The main aim of Kazakhstan is to realize partnerships and get real results.
- Kazakhstanskaya Pravda April 13,
- Tokayev “Kazakhstan and West – in global economy” – М., 2009.
- Prioritaten und Ausrichtung der staatlichen Zollpolitik der Repblik Kasachstan Sozialphilosophche, politische und rechtliche Aspekte der Modernisierung Verlag Dr. Koster. – Berlin, 2012.