Hamedia: President of Kazakhstan to Visit Russia: What's Next for Cooperation and Strategic Relations?
Kazakhstan International News Agency, November 11-12, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, will make an official visit to Russia. Vladislav Kondratyev, editor-in-chief of the "Caspian Bulletin" (Каспийский вестник) website and political scientist, gave an interview to Kazakhstani news agency journalists, sharing his views on the upcoming visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Moscow.
Reporter: After the Central Asia-Russia Summit, some experts have started discussing changes in Moscow's policy towards the region. In your opinion, how has Russia's role in Central Asia changed? What do we expect from the upcoming Kazakhstan-Russia meeting?
Kondratyev: In recent years, Central Asia has been the focus of attention from major world powers. This is confirmed by the launch of the "Central Asia +" dialogue mechanism involving "Central Asia +" participants such as Russia, the United States, China, India, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Gulf countries.
With the increasing interest of external participants and the intensifying geopolitical competition, Moscow needs to adjust its policies toward Central Asia. This means developing new directions for trade, economic, political, and cultural humanistic cooperation, and increasing investment activities.
Kazakhstan is considered Russia's closest partner in the region, with the longest land border in the world, providing a natural channel for multi-level interaction. Given this, President Tokayev's visit to Moscow is of special importance. For Russia, this visit is an opportunity to showcase its advantages, clarify the potential for deepening bilateral cooperation, and strengthen ties with Central Asian countries by consolidating Kazakhstan's transit role.
Reporter: In which areas do you think agreements may be reached during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Russia?
Kondratyev: Russia is the main partner and one of the top five investors in Kazakhstan. As of the end of 2024, Russian investments in the Kazakhstani economy exceeded 4 billion dollars, an increase of 32% compared to 2023. Currently, about
170 industrial cooperation projects with Russian capital are being implemented, with a total value of approximately 48 billion dollars.
During President Tokayev's visit, new agreements may be signed in the fields of industrial cooperation, development of transport and logistics infrastructure, and the agricultural-industrial complex. Promising areas also include joint development of important raw materials, development of digital technologies, and the initiation of new tourism projects.
In addition, Kazakhstan and Russia are major members of the Eurasian Economic Union. Therefore, documents aimed at improving internal mechanisms of the union are likely to be signed within the framework of the visit.
Reporter: What will be the priority areas in the bilateral agenda - energy, transportation, industrial cooperation, or digitalization?
Kondratyev: I would like to emphasize industrial cooperation and the transportation sector. Currently, Kazakhstan is building new production link structures. For example, the "National Industrial Petrochemical Technology Park" special economic zone in Atyrau region is constructing a polyethylene production plant with the participation of the Russian company Sibur.
The introduction of the Eurasian Economic Union financing mechanism could help the development of such projects. For example, the tripartite project on joint production of agricultural machinery between Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus has received support.
Russia and Kazakhstan prioritize key industries such as metallurgy and mechanical engineering. It is in these directions that new opportunities for deepening cooperation are emerging.
The transport and logistics sector also has promising prospects. Both sides need to jointly promote the construction of the "North-South" and "China-Eurasian Economic Union" international transport corridors. Kazakhstan is providing favorable conditions for the construction of logistics centers, with entry and exit points such as Khorgos and Aktau being particularly important for Russian companies.
Currently, a joint operation project for the Selistye transport logistics center involving Russia, Kazakhstan, and China is being implemented. The parties plan to receive up to 30 trains per month from China, and set a record of handling 596 containers in a day. This cooperation will make an important contribution to strengthening transport integration in the region.
Additionally, establishing a joint project office aimed at supporting business initiatives and developing new production chains can further strengthen commercial relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
Reporter: In the context of increasing interest from external players such as the United States, China, and the EU in Central Asia, how does Kazakhstan maintain balance among its partners? What role will the visit of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Moscow play?
Kondratyev: Kazakhstan is demonstrating a model of a multi-directional foreign policy. This is the result of President Tokayev's cautious and balanced foreign policy approach.
It is important that Kazakhstan is a country with rich strategic resources located at the center of Eurasia. Its favorable geopolitical position provides broad opportunities for the country to accelerate socio-economic development.
By implementing a multi-directional foreign policy, Astana is effectively utilizing its geographical advantages. At the same time, Kazakhstan's neighbors - Russia and China - understand the strategic choices of Kazakhstan's leadership and uphold the principles of fair and honest competition on the international stage.
Therefore, President Tokayev's visit will once again clarify that despite the growing activity of external players, Kazakhstan remains a reliable ally and strategic partner of Russia.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848461472885771/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.