Kazakhstan-EU Relations in the Realities of the Geopolitical Turbulence: A Textual Analysis of Before and After Design
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52536/3006-807X.2024-3.06Keywords:
Kazakhstan, the European Union, cooperation, geopolitics, energy, democratization, economyAbstract
Global security concerns have impacted both domestic and foreign policies of international actors. A regional geopolitical crisis after 2022 has certainly impacted the relations between Kazakhstan and its external partners. This research aims to explore how the regional geopolitical turbulence shaped the dynamics of Kazakhstan’s relations with the EU, one of the major actors in Kazakh multi-vector foreign policy. This research is concentrated on Kazakhstan-EU relations after 2022 and includes two studies: an analysis of press materials and a qualitative content analysis with some quantitative approach. An analysis of 191 press materials from the European External Action Service of 2018-2021 and 2022-2024 as well as content analysis of 2018-2021, 2022, and 2023-2024 press materials revealed the intensification of Kazakhstan-EU relations.
References
th Cooperation Committee Meeting between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan. EEAS. (2023, May 24). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/20th-cooperation-committee-meetingbetween-european-union-and-republic-kazakhstan_en?s=222
th meeting of the EU - Kazakhstan Cooperation Council. European Council. (2023, October). https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2023/10/23/?utm_source=dsmsauto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20th+meeting+of+the+EU+-+Kazakhstan+Cooperation+Council
Adnan, M., & Fatima, B. (2016). European Union as a New Actor in Central Asia: Its Interests and Challenges. Journal of Political Studies, 23(1), 63-79. http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/5%20-%20MUBEEN%20-%20BUSHRA_v23_1_16.pdf
Anceschi, L. (2014). The Tyranny of Pragmatism: EU–Kazakhstani Relations. Europe-Asia Studies, 66(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2013.864101
Bhavna, D. (2007). The EU and Kazakhstan: Balancing Economic Cooperation and Aiding Democratic Reforms in the Central Asian Region. CEPS Policy Brief, No. 127. http://aei.pitt.edu/7370/Central Asia: 18th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting - finding solutions to common challenges. EEAS. (2022, November 18). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/central-asia-18th-eu-central-asiaministerial-meeting-finding-solutions-common-challenges_en?s=222
Central Asia: Foreign Affairs MEPs conclude visit to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. EEAS. (2023, August 25). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/central-asia-foreign-affairs-meps-conclude-visitkazakhstan-
and-kyrgyzstan_en
Central Asia: High Representative Borrell to visit Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. EEAS. (2022, November). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/central-asia-high-representative-borrell-visit-kazakhstan-and-uzbekistan_en?s=222
Central Asia: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell to the press. EEAS. (2021, November 24) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/central-asia-remarks-high-representativevice-president-josepborrell-press_en
Central Asia Online Economic Forum “EU-Central Asia Dialogue: Partnership for Prosperity”. EEAS. (2020). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/central-asia-online-economic-forum-%E2%80%9Ceu-central-asia-dialoguepartnership-
prosperity%E2%80%9D_en
Collins, N., & Bekenova, K. (2017). Fuelling the New Great Game: Kazakhstan, Energy Policy and the EU. Asia Europe Journal, 15(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-016-0451-4
COP27: European Union concludes a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan on raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen. EEAS.(2022, November 8). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/cop27-european-union-concludes-strategic-partnership-kazakhstan-raw-materials-batteries-and-0_en?s=222
Coronavirus: Asia-Europe M eeting ( ASEM) s tatement. E EAS. ( 2020). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/coronavirus-asia-europe-meeting-asem-statement_en
Drieniková, K., & Zubaľová, Ľ. (2021). EU Strategic Interests in Kazakhstan in the Context of Geopolitical and Geo-Economic Changes in the Region with Focus on China. AD ALTA: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.33543/11025157 EU and Kazakhstan hold Subcommittee on Justice and Home Affairs and Human Rights. EEAS. (2019). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/eu-and-kazakhstan-hold-subcommittee-justice-and-homeaffairs-and-human_en
EU-Central Asia: 10th high-level political and security dialogue held in Astana. EEAS. (2023, June 13). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-central-asia-10th-high-level-political-and-security-dialogue-heldastana_en
EU-Central Asia: 10th High-Level Political and Security Dialogue held in Astana. EEAS. (2023, June 13). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-central-asia-10th-high-level-political-and-security-dialogue-held-astana_en?s=222
EU-Central Asia Economic Forum - Joint press statement. EEAS. (2021, November 5) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-central-asia-economic-forum-joint-press-statement_en
EU co-funded low-enriched uranium bank becomes operational: purpose-built facility in Kazakhstan. EEAS (2019). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-co-funded-low-enriched-uranium-bank-becomes-operationalpurpose-built-facility-kazakhstan_en
EU ITC Ready4Trade project helps Kazakhstan businesses reach $500,000 in online sales. EEAS. (2022, June). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/eu-itc-ready4trade-project-helps-kazakhstan-businessesreach-500000-online-sales_en?s=222
EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee. EEAS. (2020). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-kazakhstancooperation-committee_en
European Coucnil. (n.d.). EU sanctions against Russia explained. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions/restrictive-measures-against-russia-over-ukraine/sanctions-against-russia-explained/
European Council. (n.d). Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-response-ukraine-invasion/impact-of-russia-s-invasion-of-ukraine-on-themarkets-eu-response/#energy
European Union and Kazakhstan. EEAS. (2023). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/kazakhstan/european-union-andkazakhstan_en?s=222
European Union promotes the development of renewable energy sector in Central Asia. EEAS. (2022, May 20). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/european-union-promotes-development-renewableenergy-sector-central-asia_en?s=222
European Union supports sustainable grazing and pasture management in Kazakhstan. EEAS. (2022, May 23). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/european-union-supports-sustainable-grazing-andpasture-management-kazakhstan_en?s=222
European Union’s new project to boost sustainable energy in Central Asia. EEAS. (2022, November 17). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/european-union%E2%80%99s-new-project-boost-sustainableenergy-central-asia_en?s=222
EU strategy for Central Asia: The new EU strategy on Central Asia: for a stronger partnership in a changing world. Council of the European Union. (2019). https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/39778/st10221-en19.pdf
Fawn, R., Kluczewska, K., & Korneev, O. (2022). EU–Central Asian interactions: Perceptions, interests and practices. Central Asian Survey, 41(4), 617–638. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2022.2134300
Fawn, R. (2022). ‘Not here for geopolitical interests or games’: the EU’s 2019 strategy and the regional and inter-regional competition for Central Asia, Central Asian Survey, 41:4, 675-698, DOI:10.1080/02634937.2021.1951662
First activities within the framework of the EU-funded project "School of public action - Western Kazakhstan." EEAS. (2021, June 7) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/first-activities-within-frameworkeu-funded-project-school-public-action-western-kazakhstan_en
Gnedina, E. (2015). ‘Multi-Vector’ Foreign Policies in Europe: Balancing, Bandwagoning or Bargaining? Europe-Asia Studies, 67(7), 1007–1029. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2015.1066313
Halperin, S., & Heath, O. (2020). Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills. Oxford University Press. Joint communication: The EU and Central Asia - New opportunities for a stronger partnership. EEAS. (2019). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/joint_communication_-_the_eu_and_central_asia_-_new_opportunities_for_a_stronger_partnership.pdf
Joint communication: The EU and Central Asia – New opportunities for a stronger partnership. External Action Service & European Commission. (2019). https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/39778/st10221-en19.pdf
Joint Communiqué: 17th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting. EEAS. (2021, November 22) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/joint-communiqu%C3%A9-17th-eu-central-asia-ministerial-meeting_en
Joint press statement: 2nd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum. EEAS. (2023, May 19). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/joint-press-statement-2nd-eu-central-asia-economic-forum_en?s=222
Kašťáková, E., & Barinková, N. (2019). Development of Foreign Trade Relations between Kazakhstan and the EU under the Influence of Geopolitical Changes. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Development-of-Foreign-Trade-Relations-between-and-Kašťáková-Barinková/bf871a0bbd4c163f1529a2ab0433a7ff046b3a80
Kazakhstan: Annual Human Rights Dialogue and Subcommittee on Justice and Home Affairs. EEAS. (2021, December 3) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/kazakhstan-annual-human-rights-dialogue-and-subcommitteejustice-and-home-affairs_en
Kazakhstan: Statement by the Spokesperson on steps to abolish the death penalty. EEAS. (2021, January 7) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/kazakhstan-statement-spokesperson-steps-abolish-death-penalty_en
Kazakhstan-EU: Annual Human Rights Dialogue and Subcommittee on Justice and Home Affairs meetings. EEAS. (2023, March 14). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/Kazakhstan-EU-annual-humanrights-dialogue-and-subcommittee-justice-and-home-affairs-meetings_en?s=222
Kembayev, Z. (2021). The Kazakhstan-EU enhanced partnership: An overview and evaluation. EU External Relations Law, 177–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62859-8_11
Konopelko, A. (2018). Eurasian Economic Union: A challenge for EU policy towards Kazakhstan. Asia Europe Journal, 16(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-017-0480-7
Mantel, R. (2015). EU-Central Asia Relations in the energy sector with a special focus on Kazakhstan. L’Europe En Formation, 375(1), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.3917/eufor.375.0055
Martínez-García, M. Á., Ramos-Carvajal, C., & Cámara, Á. (2023). Consequences of the energy measures derived from the war in Ukraine on the level of prices of EU countries. Resources Policy, 86, 104114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104114
Milov, V. (2024, May 23). Oil, gas, and war: The effect of sanctions on the Russian Energy Industry. Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/russia-tomorrow/oil-gas-and-war/
Moisé, M., & Sorbello, P. (2022). The EU and European transnational companies in Central Asia: Relocating agency in the energy sector. Central Asian Survey, 41(4), 770–787. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2022.2049590
Moving past trade flow obstacles in Central Asia: Regional Expert Meeting. E EAS. (2021, July 5 ) https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/moving-past-trade-flow-obstacles-central-asia-regional-expertmeeting_en
Mukasheva, Z., & Akhmedyanova, D. (2023). Evolution of the bilateral partnership between European Union and Kazakhstan: Results from the Content Analysis of Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. International Relations and International Law Journal, 102(2). https://doi.org/10.26577/irilj.2023.v102.i2.01
Muratova, M., Sadri, H., Medeubayeva, Z., & Issayeva, A. (2023). The EU and Kazakhstan in the latest geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions: New dimensions of partnership. Journal of Eurasian Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/18793665231215799
Pandemic-hit small and medium-sized enterprises in Central Asia get boost from European Union and EIF. EEAS. (2020, May 13). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/pandemic-hit-small-and-mediumsized-enterprises-central-asia-get-boost-european-union-and_en
Pandemic-hit small and medium-sized enterprises in Central Asia get boost from European Union and EIF. EEAS. (2020). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/pandemic-hit-small-and-medium-sizedenterprises-central-asia-get-boost-european-union-and_en
Press release: European Commission proposes new rules to curb online misinformation and preserve freedom of expression. European Commission. (2024). https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_501
Satubaldina, A. (2024, January 24). President Tokayev’s first visit to Italy reflects Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy, broader engagement with EU. The Astana Times. https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/presidenttokayevs-first-visit-to-italy-reflects-kazakhstans-multi-vector-foreign-policy-broader-engagement-with-eu/
Statement by the Spokesperson on the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan. EEAS. (2019). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/statement-spokesperson-presidential-elections-republic-kazakhstan_en
The Diplomatic Service of the European Union. EEAS. (2023, October). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2023/EEAS-%20FACTSHEET-Kazakhstann_October2023.pdf
The European Union and Kazakhstan. EEAS. (2023, October 19). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/kazakhstan/european-union-and-kazakhstan_en?s=222
Vice-President Šefčovič travels to Kazakhstan to participate in Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress 2023. EEAS (2023). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/vice-president-%C5%A1ef%C4%8Dovi%C4%8D-travels-kazakstan-participate-astana-mining-and-metallurgy-congress-2023-and_en?s=222
Vice-president Sefčovič travels to Kazakstan to participate in Astana Mining and Metallurgy Congress 2023 and strengthen the bilateral relationship. EEAS. (2023, May 31). https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kazakhstan/vice-president-%C5%A1ef%C4%8Dovi%C4%8D-travels-kazakstan-participate-astana-miningand-metallurgy-congress-2023-and_en?s=222
Waltz, K. (1979). Theory of International Politics. Addison-Wesley.
Winn, N. & Gänzle, S. (2023). Recalibrating EU Foreign Policy Vis-à-vis Central Asia: Towards Principled Pragmatism and Resilience, Geopolitics, 28:3, 1342-1361. DOI: 10.1080/14650045.2022
Yesdauletov A. & Oralov, A. & Turkhanova, A. & Treat, I. & Tuleshova, L. & Yesdauletova, A. (2017). A New Stage of Relations between the European Union and Kazakhstan: Europeanization Process. Astra Salvensis. 5. 77-90. https://research.nu.edu.kz/en/publications/a-new-stage-of-relations-between-the-european-union-andkazakhstan
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Utebayev A., Ordabayeva D., Murzagulova K., Irzhanova S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.