Kazakhstan hailed as model for integrating cultures

Kazakhstan could be used as a model for Europe in integrating people from different ethnic backgrounds and religions, a Brussels conference was told.

By Martin Banks

Martin Banks is a senior reporter at the Parliament Magazine

04 May 2016

According to the Assembly of the Western European Union (WEU), a Paris-based western defensive alliance, the EU and its member states could learn from the country's record in assimilating people from many different cultures.

The event was held to mark the country's 25th independence. Kazakhstan was the last of the former Union's countries to become independent in 1991 and, despite its relatively sparse population, is the ninth biggest in the world.

Speaking at the meeting, WEU President Stef Goris said Kazakhstan's people have managed to live in peace and harmony even though there are more than 130 different ethnicities, including Kazakhs, Russians and Tartars, in a country of 17 million inhabitants.

This was something the West, and especially the EU, could learn from in its ongoing fight against Islamic terrorism, he argued.

Goris, whose organisation was the first European inter-parliamentary assembly for security and defence matters, said, "Kazakhstan is a large and diverse country. About 70 per cent of the people are Muslims and 30 per cent Christians. I'm deeply impressed by how they manage to live together."

The West, he suggested, should take a closer look at the country's peaceful model, adding, "Kazakhstan's experience could be more than helpful for us."

Kazakhstan's engagement in the fight against terror was also highlighted by Toivo Klaar, head of the Central Asian Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS), who noted that the country "cooperates internationally to fight terrorism."

In addition, Kazakhstan, also helps other countries like Afghanistan to become more stable and safe.

For example, Afghan students are allowed to visit Kazakh universities to get educated since the education system in Afghanistan has suffered due to war and other conflicts.

In recent years, the EU has become Kazakhstan's first trading partner and first foreign investor, representing over half of total FDI in Kazakhstan. Bilateral trade amounts to above €31bn, from which €24bn is Kazakhstan's exports, notably oil, while about €7.5bn is EU exports to Kazakhstan, mainly manufactured goods, machinery and equipment.

Last year, the two sides signed an enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement, the first the EU has signed with a central Asian partner.

Almaz Khamzayev, head of the Kazakhstan mission to the EU, said Kazakhstan had opened up to the West, saying, "The EU has become the most important trade partner for Kazakhstan."

Speaking of the quarter century since the former Soviet state gained its independence, he said, "We've not wasted the past 25 years. We have worked very hard. I think we've even become a new country."

The ambassador added, "It was a cherished goal of our Kazakh ancestors to become independent. We have not only achieved this, we achieved even more."

His was the only country in the region with a good labour market, he said, and the Kazakh government had taken on several measures to improve the country's wellbeing.

"For example, a lot of money has been invested in infrastructure and urban construction. Astana has become the new, modern and prosperous capital."

The city aims to showcase this to the world next year when Astana hosts the Expo 2017, he said.

Kazakhstan's foreign policies had also improved the country's position on the global market, said Klaar.

Further comment came from Pier Borgoltz, an expert on Kazakhstan affairs, who said, "The EU's relation with Kazakhstan has been very fruitful. Kazakhstan's engagement, also in foreign policies, has been remarkable. This anniversary can be seen as an incredible step forward for such a young country."

Several speakers also said that while the country had sent a signal of trust to the EU by not requiring visas for member states' citizens, this contrasted with people of Kazakhstan, who need one to visit the EU.

 

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