#Kazakhstan celebrates achievements in Brussels

Efforts by Kazakhstan to turn its fortunes around in the last quarter century have been hailed by an international audience at a special event to mark the 25th anniversary of its independence, writes Martin Banks.

Speaking on Wednesday (7 December) at the exclusive gathering, Iveta Grigule, a Latvian MEP and chair of the delegation to the EU-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, summed up the consensus, telling this website that Kazakhstan had made “tremendous progress” since gaining independence from the old Soviet Union.

“As my country was once also part of that same Soviet Empire I and my countrymen and women appreciate fully what the situation was like for the people of Kazakhstan back in 1991,” she told EU Reporter.

“We can also acknowledge how a totally-transformed Kazakhstan looks today, 25 years later, and the tremendous progress that has been made in the intervening period.”

Grigule, who was elected an MEP in 2014 as the sole representative for the Union of Greens and Farmers, was one of the guests at the special reception to mark the 25th anniversary.

The event was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union.

With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan gained independence and joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) of which it is now a leading member, as was also acknowledged by Grigule who said: “The difference in the last 25 years is particularly marked and Kazakhstan has made very great progress."

The Greens party deputy pointed out that Kazakhstan had reached the objectives of its 'Strategy 2030' ahead of time and was now implementing Strategy 2050. The ultimate goal is to join the world’s top 30 most developed nations by the middle of the century.

“Its ambitious plans, including the 2030 and 2050 strategies auger well for the country’s future and the next 25 years,” noted Grigule, adding: “Both of these are excellent initiatives and, of course, I wish the country every success and look forward to seeing them fully implemented so that Kazakhstan can develop further.”

She also said the country faces particular “challenges”, including “balancing the sometimes-conflicting influences” of its large neighbours, Russia and China, as well as the United States.

“It is important, I believe, that Kazakhstan does not fall into the arms of any one country but, rather, balances the influences of these great powers. This will be a big challenge in the coming years.”

Another major aim, she said, is for the country to make the most of its “very great” natural resources in pressing for further economic development.

The MEP also praised Astana for the “good progress” she said it had made in the field of human rights, adding: “It cannot be expected to be as advanced in this area as, say the UK or France, but it is certainly moving in the right direction.”

Further comment came from Luc Devigne, a Deputy Managing Director at the EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS), who offered his congratulations to the country on its anniversary, saying that “impressive development” had been made since 1991 both in the economic and social spheres.

Devigne, who is responsible for the EEAS’s unit on Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia and the OSCE, also acknowledged the “excellent working relationship” currently enjoyed by the EU and Kazakhstan.

The Brussels-based official pointed to the Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed between the two sides last year as an example of their “particularly healthy” trading relations.

Devigne told this website that the EU had become Kazakhstan’s number one trading partner but there was still potential for yet closer political cooperation between the two parties, adding: “You can always do better.”

Another invitee, Marat Terterov, principal coordinator and chairman of the Brussels Energy Club, praised ongoing efforts by Kazakhstan to diversify its economy, including its relative dependence on oil.

He said: “The country is, of course, an important oil producer but it is also fully embracing green energy and is developing a viable strategy for this at national level. I think these efforts are to be applauded.”

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the EU, Almaz Khamzayev, admitted that even he was “sometimes surprised” at the progress and development seen in his homeland in recent years, adding: “Of course, it was a very different picture 25 years ago, when we gained independence.

“We are optimistic about the future but, naturally, there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, including our efforts to diversify the economy and produce products that have an ‘added value’.”

With the 25th landmark looming, Kazakhstan, he said, is the role model of tolerance and social harmony in terms of religion, ethnicity and will, on 1 January, become non-permanent member of the UN Security Council

It has established diplomatic relations with 180 countries, and became a member of 70 international organizations and Kazakhstan is among the top 50 most competitive countries in the world, he said.

Relations with the EU are in “good shape,” he believes, saying, “We are now waiting for all EU member states to ratify the Enhanced Partnership Agreement which is extremely important as it covers 29 areas of our relationship with the EU, from political to sport.”

Tatjana Zdanoka, another MEP who was among the 100-strong gathering at Kazakhstan’s embassy on the outskirts of Brussels, said the country had been “fortunate”, back in 1991, to enjoy the "excellent" political leadership which had paved the way for the economic success it now enjoys.

The deputy, who is Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the EU-Kazakhstan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, said, “25 years ago, there were problems in the country and the political leadership, which was not present in some other former Soviet states, has been crucial.”

Vladimir Chizhov, Russia’s ambassador to the EU and one of his country’s most senior officials in Europe, noted the “shared and common history” his country enjoys with Kazakhstan.

He declared: “The future continues to be bright.”

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