Kazakhstan amid the Ukrainian conflict and other changes in the international arena intends to maintain a stable neutral position and will not take any anti-Russian actions. Yersultan Zhanseitov, an expert at the Institute of World Economy and Politics under the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, expressed this opinion on Monday in a conversation with TASS correspondent.
"Kazakhstan will not take any anti-Russian or anti-Western orientation, it is unrealistic and does not correspond to our national interests," he said. - "The fact that our largest neighbors [Russia and China] get along with each other is a plus for Kazakhstan. Both in terms of regional security and sustainable development in the region."
As the political scientist specified, the relations between China, Russia, and Kazakhstan are maintained on the basis of well-diversified contacts, both bilaterally and on the platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which promotes many important initiatives, including the creation of a single interstate currency sphere and relevant payment systems. "I think there will inevitably be progress in this direction. You have to understand that Kazakhstan is a country that pursues a multi-vector policy," he stressed.
The expert noted that Kazakhstan considers Moscow and Beijing as key strategic partners, but nevertheless maintains geopolitical neutrality. "The political situation is clear: who is friends with whom and who is not," he explained. - "And in this respect, Kazakhstan is not a state that will join any 'anti-Western' or 'anti-Russian' alliances. We have a fairly pragmatic policy; we do not oppose anyone."
Aiming for multilateral economic ties
According to Zhanseitov, Kazakhstan always supports everything related to productive economic cooperation, logistics and energy cooperation. "Our country's main transport corridor in terms of energy is the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and the Atyrau-Samara pipeline. Despite the current conflict between Russia and the West, their work does not stop," he reminded. - "Last summer there were some excesses, but they turned out to be of local nature; they have been eliminated: the export of oil is still going on."
According to the expert, all this demonstrates the stable bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Russia. "Here it is necessary to understand that, despite the military actions in Ukraine, despite all the geopolitical tension, in Kazakhstan, in our oil energy sector many interests are intertwined," - he said. - "There is also Russia, Europe, China, the United States. We are an example of a state where, despite the global contradictions of the major players, they all find a common language."
The political scientist noted that Kazakhstan would not be able to realize several energy projects without Russia, especially because the pipelines go through the Russian territory. At the same time, without American technology and capital, which Kazakhstan actively uses and considers basic, it will be extremely difficult to develop its oil industry.
"Our foreign policy reflects the construct of our economy. We can only develop and improve our well-being by maintaining normal partnership relations with all states, without speaking out against anyone or openly for anyone. Our position is unlikely to change," he concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
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Based on materials from TASS