The European Union best trading partner for Kazakhstan
LONDON (TCA) This week in the Wall Street Journal, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan commented on the next chapter of Kazakh-EU relations. Already, half of Kazakhstans trade with the world goes into the European Union mostly facilitated by its status as the third largest non-OPEC oil producer in the world. Yet in the midst of Eurozone crisis, economic recession and EU instability is Kazakhstan making the right choice? The answer is yes. The whole of Central Asia is slowly been subjected to the modern equivalent of The Great Game which saw the British and Russian Empires pitted against each other for supremacy over Central Asia in the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century. Today Moscow and Beijing both have their eyes on the same target and Kazakhstan must turn to the West.
For a post communist nation, the European Union represents a vast trading opportunity that would propel Kazakh economic influence to the forefront of the oil trading world. This year we saw how the effects of sanctions on Russia damaged Kazakhstan greatly and may have finally taught Astana that absolute economic dependency on Moscow was a long term danger. To the east, Kazakhstan has signed contracts with China worth some $30 billion and growing. If Chinese influence starts to grow in the region, it is likely Moscow could become more aggressive leaving Kazakhstan stuck in the middle of the feud. The EU can offer much more.
If Kazakhstan can escape the Russian economic stranglehold over its resources and manage to sign a successful Partnership Cooperation Agreement with Brussels, the effects of Sino-Russian competition in the future could shield the country. In economic terms, the EU can offer Kazakhstan an escape route away from the damaging shockwaves of Moscows foreign policy. Negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation are going well for Astana that will allow Kazakhstans resources to be exported out of the Kremlins Cold War-esque sphere of influence.
Kazakhstans developing closeness with the European Union opens up another door. As the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) ravages land beyond the Caspian Sea and actively recruits from Central Asia, security is becoming ever the more important. If ISIL could wield influence in Kazakhstan they would link up with the Eastern Chinese region of Xinjiang and the Uyghur militant groups who are already fighting in Iraq for the Islamic State. Yet what are the chances of Russia and China assisting Kazakhstan and the rest of the region if Islamic State militants bring war to the region? An active Russian and Chinese presence would bolster, enhance and solidify their exploitive influence in the region that would further place Kazakhstan at the centre of a diplomatic and economic struggle between Moscow and Beijing. To counter this, the continuation of the tested multi vector policy of various Central Asian countries with a well vested and serious relationship with the EU could draw out the intensity and virility of any Sino-Russian confrontation in the region.
For further information:
The Times of Central Asia
- Ci sono 0 contributi al forum. -
Read the original post:
The European Union best trading partner for Kazakhstan
- European Union Special Representatives for the Sahel and the Horn of Africa visit Addis Ababa - EEAS - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Iceland : The 28th member state of the European Union ? Le Taurillon - treffpunkteuropa.de - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- European Union's Caramel Market to Reach 606K Tons and $838M by 2035 - IndexBox - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- European Union's Threaded Steel Articles Market to Grow at +1.4% CAGR, Reaching $4.4B by 2035 - IndexBox - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- The European Union awards an additional 14.8 million in Aid to UNICEF to support the most vulnerable children and strengthen disaster preparedness in... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Speech by President Antnio Costa at the opening ceremony of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union - consilium.europa.eu - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Deepening structural reforms and reprioritising public spending can boost growth in the European Union - OECD - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Now Unfolding The Impact Of Russias Military Priorities On International Travel: Insights For US, China, European Union And CIS Markets: Here Is What... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- European Union's Butan-1-ol Market to Experience Slight Growth with +0.3% CAGR in Volume and +1.6% CAGR in Value from 2024 to 2035 - IndexBox - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- China and the European Union Hold the 13th Round of High-level Strategic Dialogue - fmprc.gov.cn - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- European Union's Cobalt Oxides and Hydroxides Market Expected to Grow steadily at +2.3% CAGR over the Next Decade - IndexBox - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- European Union's Lubricating Oil Additives Market to Expand at a CAGR of +2.4% Through 2035, Reaching $103.1B in Market Value - IndexBox - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- New spokesperson for the European Union Mission in Mozambique is from Minho - EEAS - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- European Union nations call for stricter limits on sperm donation - Live Action | Pro-Life - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- European Union's Cheese Market: Increasing Demand for Grated, Powdered, and Blue-Veined Cheeses to Drive Market Growth to 7M tons and $48.4B by 2035 -... - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- European Union's Silver Market to See Slight Growth with +1.3% CAGR Driving Consumption Trends - IndexBox - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- European Union's Grape Market to Witness Mild Growth with CAGR of +0.5% from 2024 to 2035 - IndexBox - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- European Union Set to Redefine Budget Air Travel with Ambitious Policy Guaranteeing Free Carry-On Luggage and Greater Passenger Freedom on All EU and... - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- European Union's Iron and Steel Slabs, Billets, and Blooms Market to Exhibit Slight Growth with CAGR of +0.4% through 2035 - IndexBox - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- The United States has submitted a fresh trade deal proposal to the European Union - Forexlive | Forex News, Technical Analysis & Trading Tools - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Why Apple is revamping its App Store terms in the European Union - Fast Company - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Fiala: The European Union should not terminate the association agreement with Israel - European Newsroom - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- European Union's Nitric and Sulphonitric Acids Market to Reach 1.5M Tons and $586M by 2035 - IndexBox - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- European Union's Aniline Derivatives Market Expected to See +1.5% CAGR Growth Over Next Decade - IndexBox - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- One-sided account of Israels actions in Gaza, Bnai Brith says of European Union report - JNS.org - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Importing Conflict into the European Union Not the Way to Peace, Hungarian PMs Political Director Says - The European Conservative - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- After NATO Deal, How Far Will European Union Go For Trade Peace With Donald Trump - NDTV - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- European Union divided over response to suspected Israeli rights breaches - Reuters - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- The European Union and Canada open a new chapter in their cooperation - European Commission - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- European Union military engagement in the Western Balkans: peacekeeping or strategic containment? EUs mission EUFOR Althea case study - PubAffairs... - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Lavrov announced the manifestation of rebellion in the controlled "herd" of NATO and of the European Union - EADaily - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Spain will ask the European Union to suspend the association agreement with Israel - Pressenza - International Press Agency - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- European Union divided over response to suspected Israeli rights breaches - The Japan Times - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Israels appetite for war in Gaza threatens its relationship with the European Union - The Guardian - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Hybrid launch of 'The Routledge Guide to the European Union (2nd edition)' with Ian Bond, Mark Leonard and Armida van Rij - Centre for European Reform... - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- The role of services of general interest (SGI) for competitiveness, social cohesion and democracy in the European Union - EESC - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- European Union's Boring or Sinking Machinery Market to Reach 44K Units and $2.2B Value by 2035 - IndexBox - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- European Union: AI Partnerships and DMA Enforcement Top of the Agenda for European Regulators - Wilson Sonsini - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- European Union's Beverage Filtration Machinery Market to Reach 1.2M Units and $612M by 2035 - IndexBox - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- European Union's Hydraulic Press Market Expected to Grow with 289K Units and $2.4B Value by 2035 - IndexBox - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Statement by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, together with the High Representative of the European Union... - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Rare earth access is the European Union's priority at China summit - Reuters - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Czech Republic, Denmark and Twenty One Countries in European Union Threatening to Suspend Israel Schengen Visa... - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- European Union's Lifts and Elevators Market to Grow at a CAGR of +0.9% through 2035, Expected to Reach 665K Units - IndexBox - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- European Union's Packaging Machinery Market to Increase at a CAGR of +2.2% Reaching $6.3B by 2035 - IndexBox - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- The European Union announced the rejection of Russian gas at the wrong time: the price is approaching $ 500 - EADaily - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- The European Union Watches from the Sidelines - inss.org.il - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- How is disinformation addressed in the member states of the European Union? 27 country cases - EDMO.eu - June 18th, 2025 [June 18th, 2025]
- Literature review on actors of disinformation in the European Union - EDMO.eu - June 18th, 2025 [June 18th, 2025]
- Akriila and the European Union collaborate to give voice to Chiles clean energy future in new track The Power - EEAS - June 18th, 2025 [June 18th, 2025]
- Israel/Iran: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union - consilium.europa.eu - June 18th, 2025 [June 18th, 2025]
- Trump Drops Papers He Just Signed and Mistakenly Refers to the U.K. as The European Union - Mediaite - June 18th, 2025 [June 18th, 2025]
- In April, imports of plywood to European Union increase 5% - lesprom.com - June 18th, 2025 [June 18th, 2025]
- European Union warns of retaliation over Trumps steel tariff hike - The Indian Express - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- News: NATO and the European Union unite for Ukraine at a NAC - PSC meeting, 28-May.-2025 - NATO - Homepage - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Its Time for Israel To Join the European Union - The Media Line - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Beijing-based Ambassadors of the European Political Community (EPC) met at the European Union Delegation to China - EEAS - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Tech tariffs? A brewing conflict with the European Union and within the Trump administration - Washington Examiner - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- European Union on its way to reach a 54% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 - Enerdata - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Trump Advisor Jason Miller Warns of the Threat European Union Poses to Free Speech - floridianpress.com - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- Trump says trade negotiations to begin soon between U.S. and European Union - MSNBC News - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules with lack of transparency on ads - AP News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- What should the European Union aim for in a trade deal with Trump? - Bruegel - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules with lack of transparency on ads - Ottumwa Courier - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union election observation mission publishes its final report with 19 recommendations; genuine political will needed to reinforce democratic... - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Digital Anonymity in Danger! What is the European Union deciding? - Red Hot Cyber - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- The European Union and the United States reach an agreement to enhance trade talks - - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- EU and UK at loggerheads over fishing rights and youth mobility | European Union - The Guardian - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union agrees on 17th sanction package against Russia (VGK:NYSEARCA) - Seeking Alpha - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- The European Union celebrates Europe Day 2025 with the exhibition Panama and Europe: routes that connect - EEAS - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- European Union's Nails and Staples Market Expected to Grow at CAGR of +0.9% Over Next Decade - IndexBox - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- Gavin Willsey reaches milestone at the Midwest Model European Union competition - Stephen F. Austin State University - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Europe Day NYC: Celebrating 75 years of the European Union, from vision to reality - EEAS - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Meet the MEP who wants to bring Canada into the European Union - Euronews.com - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- European Union: The European Commission's action plan to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness in the automotive sector - Global... - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- European Union launches $566 million drive to attract researchers scared off by Trump moves on science and universities - Fortune - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Georgians Risk Losing Their Visa-Free Travel Privileges To The European Union Amid Growing Tensions - Travel And Tour World - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea Marking Europe Day 2025 under the Theme "Partnering for Peace and Security" -... - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- 'We call on the European Union to endorse a confederation of the states of Israel and Palestine in one homeland' - Le Monde.fr - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- The European Union does not plan to participate in the settlement of the conflict on Ukraine - EADaily - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]