Author: Théo Vernay-Perrin – 09/10/2025
Kazakhstan as a key connector between Asia and Europe
Multi-vector diplomacy of Kazakhstan is rooted in its history, geography and geopolitics. Landlocked, bordered by Russia and China, with strategic proximity to the EU, Middle East, and South Asia, it keeps balanced relations with East and the West, dynamically developing and playing a crucial role in regional stability. One of the efficient instruments Kazakhstan’s government actively realizes in this – democratic reforms and parliamentary diplomacy.
On September 30, a side event took place on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: “Kazakhstan’s path to prosperity: democratic reforms and unity through parliamentary diplomacy”, which generated enormous interest among diplomats, representatives of parliamentary delegations, and think-tanks experts.
Building a modern democracy
In his speech, Maulen Ashimbazev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized country’s extensive cooperation with the Council of Europe and trade relations with the EU : « The European Union remains Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner and investor, accounting for about half of all direct foreign investment in our country. Kazakhstan in turn is among the top three suppliers of oil to the European market with over 70 % of Kazakhstan oil, percent of all continental freight traffic between China and Europe”.
Kazakhstan’s democratic reforms under President Tokayev’s “Just Kazakhstan” agenda in the political sphere are underway: “the President’s powers are now limited to a single seven-year term, with no possibility of re-election… Our party system has become more open and competitive. The threshold for party registration has been lowered overall from 20, 000 to 5, 000 members’ electoral threshold…”, – Maulen Ashimbazev said.
A landmark achievement in the human rights reforms was the abolition of the death penalty. He also underscored the importance of the intercultural and interreligious dialogue. Recently Kazakhstan hosted the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana, gathering 100 delegations from 59 countries (including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and other faiths). This is the unique event, which is promoting “spiritual diplomacy” to reduce conflict and address global challenges like extremism and inequality.
Promoting Parliamentary diplomacy, Kazakhstan became a bridge between government, civil society, and international partners. According to Maulen Ashimbazev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it strengthens democratic practices at home while enhancing trust and credibility abroad. He emphasized countrys guiding principles remain peace, partnership, democracy, and human rights.It strengthens democratic practices at home while enhancing trust and credibility abroad.
Neutrality in global dialogue
Taking into consideration a broad picture of economic and partnership relations of Kazakhstan, it’s important to underline its pragmatic neutrality, even if this status is not enshrined in the Constitution.
Sharing a 7,500 km border with Russia – the world’s longest continuous land border, Russia remains a key security partner of Kazakhstan through the Collective Security Treaty Organization and through Eurasian Economic Union – economically. Russia is one of Kazakhstan’s top trading partners. At the same time, in geopolitical context, Kazakhstan has refused to recognize occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian, reaffirming its commitment to international law and sovereignty. It avoids sanctions violations but keeps economic ties with Russia.
China is Kazakhstan’s second-largest trading partner. The republic is a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), actively building the “Middle Coridor” as part of BRI. It connects China with Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Southeast Europe. This multimodal transportation route (sea, rail and road) is designed to facilitate the transportation of goods between Asia and Europe, bypassing Russia. Emmanuel DUPUY, President of the Prospective and Security Institute in Europe, highlighted the Middle Corridor as a vital alternative route in light of instability in Ukraine, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.
With the USA and the EU Kazakhstan successfully cooperates in the economic and political spheres, and on its democratic path. The republic signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the EU in 2015, the first of its kind with a Central Asian country. Strategic dialogue with the US includes counterterrorism, non-proliferation, and regional stability in Afghanistan.
Attracting massive foreign investment from EU and U.S., Kazakhstan benefiting from BRI and Eurasian integration. During the discussion at the Council of Europe, the panellists reviewed how resource-rich Kazakhstan is with vital rare earths and minerals, which make the country highly relevant in today’s global economy. They also acknowledged the country’s multiculturalism. “It is important to talk about the vast mineral, agricultural, historical, cultural value of Kazakhstan, which has become even more relevant when the scarcity of certain rare earths and minerals has become so relevant in our contemporary world… Finally, to the geopolitical role, the strong access on multilateral approach complemented with a strong commitment towards democracy and European values. As I learned in Kazakhstan in the past period, it is the most European non-European country”, – Emmanuel Dupuy, President of the Prospective and Security Institute in Europe, said.
Speakers underlined the balanced approach of Kazakhstan in the foreign policy. Its pragmatic, neutral policy is positioning Kazakhstan as a key connector between Asia and Europe in trade, security, and diplomacy. Invited to participate in the event, Katy Cojuhari, head of the international cooperation department of the Geneva Center for Neutrality commented the synergy between Kazakhstan’s parliamentary diplomacy and its multi-vector foreign policy: “Parliamentary dialogue provides an avenue for countries to establish mutual confidence, to exchange experience. In parallel, Astana’s multilateral approach ensures balance among interests and creates the conditions for open dialogue between different centres of influence. Kazakhstan continues to offer platforms for dialogue, it takes initiatives in peacebuilding and in regional integration, which reinforces stability across Eurasia and beyond”.
