Jankauskas said Kazakhstans ambition to become carbon-neutral by 2060 through diversification and decarbonization aligns well with the EU Green Deal, a new growth strategy to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy in order to stop climate change and reverse biodiversity loss to preserve planet for future generations. Fredsgatan 2, 10321 Stockholm. The projects received grants totalling EUR 1 million following the 2021 Call for Proposals under the CSO Program. It is, however, vital to conclude the investigation of the January events as soon as possible in a transparent way in line with international standards. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, JosepBorrell, said:Since Kazakhstan became the first country in Central Asia to sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, the breadth and depth of our relationship has progressed immeasurably. Is Kazakhstan ready to implement the necessary reforms? Nevertheless, important developments underway in Central Asia raise the question anew. The EU supports activities leading to the decarbonization of Kazakhstan and other partner countries in Central Asia through its ongoing projects such as WECOOP, CAWEP, SWITCH-Asia, Central Asia Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus Dialogue and HYDRO4U. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Meanwhile, Kazakhstanscentralized government structure and top-down approach to reforms limited its European ambitions. And since independence, Kazakhstan has defined itself as a state that combines, in a positive and reinforcing manner, a European and an Asian identity. The key point here is that such reforms may be more likely to succeed if Kazakhstan can benefit from the systematic assistance of European states and organizations. And indeed, a closer look at Kazakhstans development since independence highlights the important European aspects of its statehood. The answer to this question could define the character of the countrys long-term relationship with European institutions and organizations, and profoundly affect the countrys social, political and economic development. While Washington will need to take the lead on the political side, it would be natural for the EU to take the lead in organizing an international development program for the currently occupied Azerbaijani provinces and Karabakh itself. A new project on Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA) has recently been launched to promote a more sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. Deadline 31st of July. Given Kazakhstans current reform effort and its closer relationship with the CoEs Venice Commission, with which it consulted on its constitutional reforms, this approach is no longer workable. In December 2020, the EU enhanced its target under the Paris Agreement to at least a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. Ambitious short-term targets are important to start the journey towards that goal without any delay.
That may limit the appetite for discussing Kazakhstans relationship to Europe. Such a resolution nevertheless did not materialize. The EP delegation met with Kazakh high-level officials to discuss the ongoing investigations of the January events, the new package of political reform and of course the situation in Ukraine. Yet for the first 25 years of its independence, the question of the countrys European identity did not take center-stage. In 2010, the CACI-SRSP Joint Center cooperated with Eldar Ismailov and Nazim Muzaffarli of the Institute for Strategic Studies of the Caucasus to produce a study of the methodology and process for the rehabilitation of the occupied territories in Azerbaijan. The issues of human rights, rule of law and further democratization were also in the focus of the recent fruitful visit of the European Parliament members to Kazakhstan on April 11-13. Brenda Shaffer and Svante E. Cornell, "The U.S. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Kazakhstani Eurasianism does not view itself as a geopolitical space distinct from both Europe and Asia, but as embodying the positive meeting space between Europe and Asia, drawing on both. In 1993, the parties signed an agreement establishing diplomatic relations between the EU and Kazakhstan. Svante E. Cornell, The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, Uppsala University, 1999, Turkey Seeks to Counter Russia in the Black Sea-Caucasus Region, Turkey Analyst, 10/5/20, Emil Avdaliani, Turkeys Commitment to Azerbaijans Defense Shows the Limits of Ankaras Tilt to Moscow, Turkey Analyst, 9/25/20, Turan Suleymanov & Bahruz Babayev, Cross-Border Escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, 9/25/20, Natalia Konarzewska, Russia and Turkey: Behind the Armenia-Azerbaijan Clashes?, Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, 8/31/20, Avinoam Idan. Kazakhstans relationship with the EU is a more positive story, given the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in 2015. A continued reluctance on the part of the CoE to embrace Kazakhstans long-term integration with the organization can only be interpreted as an unstated denial of its European identity. Central Asia: Where Did Islamic Radicalization Go? The Council of Europe in which both Russia and Turkey are members has remained deliberatelyvague about Kazakhstans prospects for a closer relationship with the organization, while, in sharp contrast, it has set the strategic objective of integrating Belarus as a full member. With #BorisJohnson gone, the question for #Europe is whether now the relationship between London and Brussels will improve, writes @benfox83 | Euractiv. Aliya Tskhay, Institute of Diplomacy, Astana; Johan Engvall,ISDP; Svante Cornell,ISDP, This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. Kazakh President Proposes Central Asian Leaders Create Joint Media, President Tokayev Announces Major Initiatives at Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders in Cholpon-Ata, President Tokayev Calls for Greater Regional Economic Cooperation at Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders in Cholpon-Ata, KazISS Director Sees Growing Importance of Kazakhstan for US, Sixteen Kazakh Universities Enter QS World University Rankings 2023, Kazakhstan Launches New Flights to Russia. PubAffairs EU News & Debates This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Svante E. Cornell, "Religion and the State in Central Asia," in Ilan Berman, ed.,Wars of Ideas: Theology, Interpretation and Power in the Muslim World, Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2021. Even though the Russian government is calling it a special military operation, a vast majority of the international community, as clearly indicated by several votes in the United Nations fora, disagrees, he added. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Kazakhstan does not have any ambitions of NATO membership, but has paid close attention to cultivating relationships with the alliance as part of its multi-vector foreign policy. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This ISDP Forum marks the release of the new Silk Road Paper, Kazakhstan in Europe authored by Cornell and Engvall. , which is currently being updated and will reflect the post-January situation, said the Ambassador. That, in turn, will be more likely to materialize if these bodies recognize Kazakhstans European identity. While there was and remains much commentary and criticism of religious policy in the region, there was no comprehensive analysis available on the interrelationship of religion and the state in any regional state, let alone the region as a whole. European institutions were gradually expanding into central and Eastern Europe, somewhat reluctantly going as far as defining the South Caucasus as a part of Europe. The EU is Kazakhstans main trading partner with 40 percent of its external trade, and it is also the largest foreign investor in the country. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. What is more, we have invested heavily in strengthening governance, supporting justice, social and economic reforms. In 1999, EU-Kazakhstans total trade in goods amounted to $2.2 billion, while in a year as difficult as 2020 it reached 18.6 billion euros (US$19.4 billion), according to official EU statistics. It is now high time to focus on its practical implementation and new opportunities it can bring to citizens and economic actors. From a sigh of relief to uncertainty about future relations, European leaders and lawmakers reacted to the political crisis in the UK | Euronews, 'A turning point': Here's how the EU is reacting to Boris Johnson's resignation, The Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said that his government stands ready to work with a new UK PM., [Editors take] #PostBrexit: What direction for #EU-#UK relations after Johnsons luck runs out? We note with satisfaction the statements of President Tokayev and Foreign Minister Tileuberdi on non-recognition of the two separatist entities, and clear non-participation of Kazakhstan in any hostile activities against sovereign Ukraine. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Jankauskas also spoke about the January events that resulted in tragic consequences for the Kazakh people. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This process will take years if not decades, but it nevertheless means that Europe must look at Kazakhstan with fresh eyes, and reconsider the role European organizations can and should play in assisting Kazakhstans reform program. However, in recent years, Kazakhstan has signed an enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU, and made a bid for membership in the OECD. o The EU must take a more clearly defined and substantial role in the process, by integrating to the highest degree possible the French co-chairmanship of the Minsk Group with EU institutions. 
For Kazakhstan, the main question is to what extent its leadership is prepared to fully embrace its European identity. The introduction of Best Available Techniques (BAT), which is one of the priority measures laid down in the new Environmental Code of Kazakhstan, will reduce air and water pollution, decrease waste generation and cut GHG emissions through increased energy efficiency. --------------------------------------------. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Katya Migacheva and Bryan Frederick, Arlington, VA: RAND Corporation, 2018. We also welcome that, following the events, President Tokayev has initiated an extensive package of socio-economic and political reforms, which are focused on further democratization, liberalization and decentralization of the state. The book concluded by arguing that if international efforts to resolve the conflict are not stepped up, the four-day war of April 2016 will appear a minor skirmish compared to what is sure to follow. This initiative contributes to the efforts of strengthening water security and climate, supporting investments and interventions that will enhance water use efficiency and climate resilience in Kazakhstan part of the Aral Sea basin and restore a critical ecosystem around the North Aral Sea. 
We respect Kazakhstans neutral stance, and we expect its territory will not be used for any activities to bypass the sanctions. In 2016, the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program launched an initiative on documenting the interrelationship of religion and the secular state in the region. That effort, too, would need to be led by a senior EU figure. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The EU and Kazakhstan have been partners since the countrys independence in 1991. The projects support women and human rights defenders for a more sustainable human rights defenders community in Central Asia. These diplomats have contributed greatly to formulating a workable framework agreement. This initiative departed from the fact that little systematic reserch had been undertaken on the subject thus far. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This relationship is naturally constrained by Kazakhstan membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, but is a valuable one in which both parties appear aligned on fundamental goals. Barring some process to reinvigorate the Minsk Process a doubtful proposition given Western-Russian relations in the foreseeable future Western leaders must be prepared to bypass that process, utilizing it where appropriate but focusing their initiative on developing direct negotiations between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. More significantly, from 2015 onward Kazakhstan has redoubled its reform agenda, beginning with a 100-step program focused on transparency and efficiency of government. In addition, work is ongoing on a volume putting the regional situation in the context of the Muslim world as a whole. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This represents an important milestone in more than 25 years of EU-Kazakhstan relations. The Ambassador believes it will take a lot of time and large-scale investments to transform economies, societies and lifestyles to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. Kazakhstan is undeniably a European state: it certainly fulfills the Council of Europes two criteria of being wholly or partly located in Europe and a country whose culture is closely linked with the European culture.1 Indeed, much like Turkey and Russia, it is a country that straddles the geographic divide between the two continents. With the Agreement now entering into force, we can fully reap its benefits from joint climate action, to clean energy, sustainable modernisation, to increasing connectivity. Svante E. Cornell, "Central Asia: Where Did Islamic Radicalization Go?"
In the framework of the CAWEP program, the Kazakh government has received a grant of $1.5 million to support the preparation of the North Aral Sea Development and Revitalisation Project feasibility study. Yet the question may no longer be pushed to an undetermined future. Our relations are also based on the 2019 EU Strategy on Central Asia, said the Ambassador. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. There is much potential for developing more EU involvement in Kazakhstan and the region. It is mainly Kazakhstans political and economic model that has diverged from Europe: since independence, while performing as a leading economic liberalizer, Kazakhstan has adopted a top-down approach to state-building and an evolutionary approach that has put economic reform before political reform. These cookies do not store any personal information. At a time when Europe is beginning to realize the importance of Central Asia as a trade corridor to China and the Indian subcontinent, Europe could play a major role in facilitating Kazakhstans reform process. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 
Since 2018 close to 20 million euros (US$20.8 million) in grants have been provided from IFCA to the EBRD implemented SME Finance Facility for Central Asia supporting businesses across the region, including Kazakhstan. That said, we believe the methodoloy of the study and its conclusions remain relevant and would therefore like to call attention to this important study, published in English, Russian and Azerbaijani versions. In 2017, Palgrave published the first book-length study of the International Politics of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict, edited by Svante Cornell. This year marks a two-year anniversary of the entrance into force of the EPCA, which is the major document defining the EU-Kazakhstan relations. In addition, Kazakhstans leadership has embarked on significant education reforms that seek to align the country with European standards, ensuringthat the next generation of Kazakhstanis will find much in common with their European counterparts. We have also increased the number of Kazakh students coming to study and experience Europe through the Erasmus+ programme. It is only in the OSCE that Kazakhstan has operated as a full member, including holding the rotating presidency of the organization in 2010. EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kestutis Jankauskas. There should be more opportunities for Kazakhs to travel to Europe, and for Europeans to visit beautiful Kazakhstan. Each study below can be freely downloaded in PDF format. In fact, as a European country, Kazakhstan should normally be eligible for membership in this organization. The dialogue with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Kazakhstan takes place on a broad range of topics and in various formats along the priorities for EU engagement as envisaged in the EU Country Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society, which is currently being updated and will reflect the post-January situation, said the Ambassador. Russia and Turkey: Behind the Armenia-Azerbaijan Clashes? We are turning the page and beginning an exciting new chapter.Find more information on theDelegation of the European Union to Kazakhstanwebsite. ECRI Scientific Council: Call for expression of interest The European Credit Research Institute (ECRI) is calling fo [Video] #JohnsonResignation 'A turning point': Here's how the #EU is reacting to #BorisJohnson's resignation. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The agreement with Kazakhstan has been provisionally implemented since May 2016 (it is fully in force since 2020), and has provided a boost to economic and political ties between the EU and Kazakhstan for nearly six years. And as has been the case elsewhere in the post-Communist world, it is primarily to Europe and European institutions that Kazakhstans reformers turn for standards, guidance and assistance as they seek to design and implement steps to achieve the lofty development goals that Kazakhstans President has set for the country. The one-size-fits-all approach envisaged in the Eastern Partnership has given way to individualized relationships with differing degrees of association with EU norms and regulations. The EU occupies a key position in trade, economic and investment cooperation with Kazakhstan. Domestically, Kazakhstan has embarked on a major agenda of political and economic reform, including far-reaching constitutional amendments that increase the division of powers among state institutions. The EU is ready to further cooperate with Kazakhstan. This model emphasizes evolutionary progress, organic development and a political process based on national consensus, rather than an immediate transition to European-style democracy with pluralistic and ideologically competitive political processes where reforms emerge out of ideological and group competition. On 1 March 2020, theEuropean Union-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, now ratified by all the EU Member States and the European Parliament, will enter into force. The EU sees Kazakhstan as an important partner and the EU has consistently supported Kazakhstan through projects that are directed at sharing and implementing the EUs best practices and standards. However, strong and sustained U.S. Government leadership from the top level is needed to complement or, failing that, to replace the Minsk Process. As such, there is no reason why Kazakhstan, going forward, should not be treated at par with members of the Eastern Partnership if it so desires and takes the necessary steps in that direction. This as well as building alternative connectivity routes for trade is also our top priority in responding to the economic impact of the current geopolitical challenges.. BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF AZERBAIJANS POST-CONFLICT TERRITORIES, Resources on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We deeply regret the loss of life of innocent people. In summer of 2019, the EU-Kazakhstan Business Platform, chaired by the Prime Minister, was launched for a direct dialogue between the Kazakh authorities, business representatives and the EU and its member states ambassadors. Yet even there, the recent reform agenda suggests Kazakhstan is gradually moving its political system in a European direction. It is clear that the study is a product of a different time, as much has changed since 2010. Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus, Turkey Seeks to Counter Russia in the Black Sea-Caucasus Region, Turkeys Commitment to Azerbaijans Defense Shows the Limits of Ankaras Tilt to Moscow, Cross-Border Escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the beginning of the year, four new projects were launched to promote a meaningful and structured participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in local decision-making and strengthen their collaboration with local authorities. CACI Webinar: Kazakhstans June 5 Referendum: Accelerating Reform, With referendum, Kazakh President pushes for reforms, Party Problems and Factionalism in Soviet Uzbekistan: Evidence from the Communist Party Archives, Kazakhstan 2041: the Next Twenty-Five Years , New Article Series on Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus, CACI Initiative on Religion and the Secular State in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Religion and the Secular State in Uzbekistan, Religion and the Secular State in Turkmenistan. Needs to Declare War on Proxies",Foreign Policy, January 27, 2020, Svante E. Cornell, The Raucous Caucasus, American Interest, May 2017. Indeed, the prevailing national conception in Kazakhstan is based on an understanding of Eurasianism that differs starkly from the Russian definition of the term.
Since then, the EU and its member states have been providing political and technical support to Kazakhstans reforms a complicated process that evolved over the years. 34,590, @PubAffairsEU brings together every dimension of #Europe's policymaking process News Debates & Opinions on EU & Global cutting-edge issues #StrongerTogether, [Call for Expression of Interest] The European Credit Research Institute @ECRI_CEPS is looking for academics to become members of its Scientific Council. This is happening at a time when Europe is beginning to realize Central Asias role as a transport corridor to east and south Asian destinations, and when neighboring Uzbekistan is, too, embarking on a path of fundamental reforms.
