Kazakhstan|News & Discussions

[Saithan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1317088738229575682

An agreement that protects borders towards China. Imo.

 

[Kartal1]

We attended the opening of the Ancient Turkish Civilization Hall at the Kazakhstan National Museum together with the Ambassadors of the sister Turkic Republics. We believe that knowing our deep-rooted common history and passing it on to future generations will also shed light on our current cooperation.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1327266988314554368

 

[Test7]

The delegation of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan visited the UAV base between 23-25 November 2020 within the scope of get information about the UAVs and its facilities.

UAV/UCAV Programs | Anka - series | Kızılelma | TB - series

That article contains some mistakes

defencehub.live

 

[Saithan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1332806221808738306

Seems Kazakhstan is going away from nuclear power..

 

[guest_07]

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh to Muslim
& Good day to the rest

Russian media claims:
Kazakhstan may ditch Chinese UAVs
for Turkish Bayraktar TB2s

 

[Nilgiri]

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh to Muslim
& Good day to the rest

Russian media claims:
Kazakhstan may ditch Chinese UAVs
for Turkish Bayraktar TB2s

Yes I just came across and was about to post it myself. This is a good development for Turkey outreach to central asia.

@Cabatli_53 @Test7 @Webslave @T-123456

 

[Null/Void]

Honestly I would take stuff from Russian press with salt regarding post Soviet neighbors not saying the west and America cover ex USSR any better I think KZ is stuck in hard and rock place they have a quarter of the population ethnic Russian mainly in the North and China to the east landlocked with access via the Caspian still a lake imao Nazarbayev like Putin has managed stability but large scale courption exists typical in post USSR nations

 

[Test7]

Yes I just came across and was about to post it myself. This is a good development for Turkey outreach to central asia.

@Cabatli_53 @Test7 @Webslave @T-123456

Turkish defense industry is no stranger to the region. But time is needed for Russian influence to break through.

Uzbekistan army bought Nurol Ejder

Turkmenistan BMC- Kirpi and Otokar Cobra

Also Kazakhistan is testing otokar Arma 8X8

 

[Bogeyman]

Turkish defense industry is no stranger to the region. But time is needed for Russian influence to break through.

Uzbekistan army bought Nurol Ejder

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1296904700374036481

They didn't actually buy it. They copied. The purchase attempt was just a game. Nurol Makine was trapped. And Uzbekistan tried to produce fake Ejder Yalçın.

 

[Test7]

The secret scheme to skim millions off central Asia’s pipeline megaproject​

Leaked documents indicate Kazakh president’s son-in-law Timur Kulibayev profited from state contracts

A Gazprom director profited from a secret scheme linked to the construction of a multibillion-dollar gas pipeline between central Asia and China, according to documents seen by the Financial Times. The documents indicate that staff and consultants working for Timur Kulibayev designed a scheme for the Kazakh billionaire to receive at least tens of millions of dollars from contracts related to the vast project. Mr Kulibayev, who has served on the Russian energy giant’s board since 2011, is the son-in-law of the former Kazakh president and has wide-ranging business interests, from banking to mining and real estate. As one of the most powerful officials in the country, he oversaw the state companies that awarded contracts to build the pipelines across Kazakhstan.

Emails sent between 2008 and 2014 and leaked by a whistleblower contain detailed descriptions of a set-up that it appears would allow Mr Kulibayev to receive a share of the profits from pipeline contracts granted to ETK, a company owned by Russian businessman Alexander Karmanov. Under the scheme, ETK would buy pipes from plants in Ukraine and Russia. But first it would sell those same plants the steel to make the pipes — at a huge mark-up from the price it had paid for the metal.

Contracts seen by the FT show that an ETK company in Singapore agreed to buy steel produced by Jiangsu Shagang group of China at $935 a tonne and to sell steel to the Russian pipeline manufacturer TMK for $1,500 a tonne. TMK’s contract envisages a total outlay of “approximately $200m”, which equates to a gross profit of $75m for ETK. However, the documents seen by the FT suggest that most of that money was not destined for Mr Karmanov’s company but for Mr Kulibayev. They reveal details of a corporate structure designed to channel the profits from the steel mark-up through companies in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates and ultimately to Mr Kulibayev himself. Emails and a PowerPoint presentation indicate Mr Kulibayev was to receive 70 per cent of the profits, a cut that would have made him $53m from this one transaction alone. In one email, a consultant sent bills to Mr Kulibayev’s company for completing the work to set up the scheme.

The emails appear to show that, to make sure that this arrangement could not be changed without his agreement, Mr Kulibayev’s staff proposed that a nominee of his be granted a stake in ETK that would confer control over company decisions. In October 2012, an employee at ETK emailed Mr Kulibayev’s representatives to say that Mr Karmanov had personally agreed to the proposal.

Emails among Mr Kulibayev’s advisers reveal the name of the nominee as Murat Balapanov, a Kazakh businessman. Russian corporate records show that on December 21 2012, Mr Balapanov’s name was recorded in public filings as a new shareholder in ETK. His share was 0.00001 per cent of ETK’s equity. He was also named president of the company. Mr Balapanov could not be reached for comment. Mr Kulibayev’s lawyers said that he “has never had any interest or stake in any ETK entity, directly, indirectly or via any kind of nominee arrangement or similar scheme”.

They added that Mr Balapanov had not acted as Mr Kulibayev’s nominee and claimed that Mr Balapanov had never held a stake in ETK, despite public records showing that he has. In response to questions from the FT about the apparent scheme to divert contract profits described in the leaked emails, Mr Kulibayev’s lawyers said he “has never been involved in any of the activities described”. They said the suggestion that “70 per cent of various profits were funnelled back to an entity of our client’s based in Singapore is false”. In correspondence with the FT, his lawyers also claimed he was the target of a disinformation campaign. However, the emails that outline the pipeline scheme come from a substantial cache leaked by a whistleblower. They contain multiple documents that corroborate one another and are further supported by corporate records from Russia, Singapore and the UK. The FT is publishing a selection of the documents.

A pipeline of opportunities​

President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, right, and Hu Jintao, his Chinese counterpart, in Astana in 2007, when the pipelines project was announced © AFP

The Asia Gas Pipeline project was part of a grand undertaking that accelerated a shift of economic power from west to east. In August 2007, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan was joined by his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, in the Kazakh capital Astana to announce new pipelines that would carry gas from central Asia, long mostly sold to Europe, to China. Built jointly by Kazakhstan and China, these pipelines, all since completed, would stretch more than 3,000km and be funded with Chinese state loans. The first two lines would cost $7.5bn, with a third to follow for some $3bn and a fourth after that.

Among the biggest winners in the bonanza of contracts related to the pipeline was a Russian called Alexander Karmanov. Back in the 1990s, he was the proprietor of the Daydreams strip club, popular with post-communist Moscow’s new rich. Accounts of his career since then provide few clues to how he has progressed to be listed by Forbes as one of Russia’s “king contractors”, those who have benefited most handsomely from government contracts. A person who knew Mr Karmanov when they both worked on contracts for Transneft, Russia’s state oil transport group, described him as a “self-made man” but one who “knows a huge number of people in the power structures”.

Little information on these connections has emerged, though he has talked about his friendship with Arkady Rotenberg, a fellow “king contractor” who has been targeted for US sanctions on the Kremlin’s inner circle. Mr Karmanov sponsored the St Petersburg judo club founded by Mr Rotenberg, a former sparring partner of Vladimir Putin, who was the club’s honorary president.

President Vladimir Putin with Arkady Rotenberg, right, at the 2013 funeral of a judo trainer in St Petersburg © Getty Images


Despite never having constructed a single factory, Mr Karmanov established himself as one of the dominant figures in a highly lucrative market: supplying the steel pipes for the pipelines that were in high demand during Russia’s energy boom of the 2000s. The Asia Gas Pipeline project was a chance for Mr Karmanov to conquer new markets, and conquer he did. Emails seen by the FT contain commercial agreements indicating that between 2008 and 2012 his companies won steel pipe contracts for the project worth at least $370m and perhaps three times that amount. They also won contracts worth at least $1.5bn to trade the oil and gas that Kazakhstan’s pipelines carry. The Kazakh power play

A worker alongside a section of the Asia Gas Pipeline near Almaty: the multibillion-dollar energy project carries central Asia supplies to China © Reuters

One man towered over the Kazakh energy industry in which Mr Karmanov prospered. Timur Kulibayev had risen through Kazakhstan’s state energy company, then became first deputy chairman and, in 2011, chairman of the $80bn sovereign wealth fund that oversaw all the state’s business interests, including the Asia Gas Pipeline project. By that time he was already a billionaire in his own right. So was his wife Dinara — daughter of the Kazakh dictator, Mr Nazarbayev. Mr Kulibayev’s influence expanded beyond Kazakhstan. In addition to his role at Gazprom, the Russian state gas company at the centre of Mr Putin’s power network, his father-in-law was a key ally of the Russian leader. Mr Kulibayev came to western attention when he was revealed as the mystery buyer who in 2007 paid £3m over the list price to buy Sunninghill Park, the royal estate the Queen had given Prince Andrew as a wedding present. He has also faced money-laundering allegations in a Swiss case that was ultimately dropped. Mr Kulibayev left the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund following an outcry over the massacre of striking oil workers by security forces in December 2011. By then, Mr Karmanov’s ETK group had already won contracts to supply the first two phases of the Asia Gas Pipeline, an ETK planning document attached to one of the leaked emails indicates. Contracts relating to the subsequent phases came ETK’s way in 2012, while Mr Kulibayev was still in his other government post as adviser to his father-in-law. ETK and Mr Karmanov did not respond to requests for comment.

Separately, emails from another cache, leaked online in 2014, indicate that one of Mr Kulibayev’s private companies may have benefited directly from the pipeline project. A company he owned called Petroleum LLP won a contract to transport 300,000 tonnes of steel for use in making the pipelines, according to a 2011 email from the company’s boss. Petroleum LLP was valued at about $220m shortly afterwards, another email shows. Mr Kulibayev’s lawyers responded to questions on Petroleum LLP by saying that the company “never received profits, directly or indirectly, from any business” related to the Asia Gas Pipeline.

The secret scheme to skim millions off central Asia’s pipeline megaproject

Leaked documents indicate profits from Kazakh and Chinese state contracts were diverted

www.ft.com

 

[Saithan]

The US State Department has approved the sale of two King Air B300ER Scorpion aircraft to Kazakhstan, along with reconnaissance and surveillance systems and related equipment.

It is reported that the approved request includes 3 Raytheon AST TITAN Communications Intelligence (COMINT) systems; 2 King Air B300ER Scorpion aircraft; 3 radars with active phased array with electronic scanning (AESA) Leonardo Osprey 30 ; 3 turret optical infrared sensors WESCAM MX-15HDi Elector; 3 systems of automatic electronic intelligence (ELINT); stationary and transported ground control stations; ground support equipment; software and logistics support from the U.S. government and contractors. The total estimated cost is $ 128.1 million.

King Air B300ER Scorpion can be used in a variety of operations such as transport, reconnaissance and border security.

The main contractor for the contract will be Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Kazakhstan to Buy Planes and Equipment for Reconnaissance Mission from U.S. - C4 Defence

The US State Department has approved the sale of two King Air B300ER Scorpion aircraft to Kazakhstan, along with reconnaissance and surveillance systems and related equipment.

www.c4defence.com

 

[Test7]

Kazakhstan is looking to procure Airbus A400M transport aircraft

Airbus A400M military cargo plane. The aircraft is being targeted by Kazakhstan which is negotiating to procure two.

Kazakhstan is negotiating with Airbus Defense & Space to purchase two A400M military transport aircraft, according to diplomatic sources cited by Spanish media ABC.

The Spanish firm has been looking to sell its new cargo plane to Kazakhstan for some time. It has already been presented to the Kazakh authorities several times.

Airbus sent the aircraft to the KADEX 2018 international defence exhibition in Kazakhstan with the aim of demonstrating the complementarity of the A400M with the Kazakhstan Air Force C295 fleet.

More recently, in September 2020, the Royal Air Force showcased its A400M to members of the Kazakh Government during a visit to promote bilateral military cooperation between the two countries.

"The A400M has proven itself in service with the RAF and I am delighted that we have had the opportunity to provide assistance to the Kazakh Government as they make their decision on purchasing an aircraft to meet their requirement for strategic airlift," Defence Attaché of the British Embassy Nur-Sultan, Andrew Houlton said.

Increasing transport capacity is a priority for the Kazakhstan Air Force as it must serve an area greater than 2.7 million square kilometers, as noted by ABC.

Written by Matteo Sanzani
Photo Credit: Airbus

Kazakhstan is looking to procure Airbus A400M transport aircraft

Kazakhstan is looking to procure Airbus A400M transport aircraft

www.blogbeforeflight.net

 

[Saithan]

Protests erupt in Kazakhstan after fuel price rise​

ReutersJanuary 4, 2022

ALMATY, Jan 4 (Reuters) – Protests have erupted in several Kazakh towns and cities after the Central Asian nation’s government lifted price caps on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the cost of the popular alternative to gasoline rose.

Public protests are rare – and illegal unless their organisers file a notice in advance – in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic whose parliament is devoid of opposition.

The rallies have involved thousands of people. They began on Jan. 2 – the day after the price caps on LPG were lifted – in the town of Zhanaozen, the site of the deadliest clashes between protesters and police since independence from the Soviet Union.

Protesters in Zhanaozen, an oil industry hub in the western Mangistau province where dozens of people were killed in protests in 2011 after the sacking of oil workers, demanded the price of LPG be halved from 120 tenge ($0.27) per litre to the level at which the fuel was sold last year.

Retailers have agreed to cut the price by a quarter but President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s government has said further cuts are impossible because of production costs.

The price had previously been regulated, but officials said artificially low prices were making LPG production infeasible.

Protests have spread to Mangistau’s provincial centre, Aktau, as well as a worker camp used by subcontractors of Kazakhstan’s biggest oil producer, Tengizchevroil. The Chevron-led (CVX.N) venture said output had not been affected.

In Kazakhstan’s biggest city, Almaty, police cordoned off the main square on Monday and Tuesday. Mobile internet was jammed in the downtown area.

Tokayev said on Twitter on Tuesday that a government commission has started working in Aktau and would find a solution “in the interest of stability in our country”. He urged protesters to behave responsibly.

Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva and Olzhas Auyezov, Additional reporting by Tamara Vaal in Nur-Sultan, Editing by Timothy Heritage

Protests erupt in Kazakhstan after fuel price rise - Egypt Independent

ALMATY, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Protests have erupted in several Kazakh towns and cities after the Central Asian nation's government lifted price caps on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the cost of the popular alternative to gasoline rose.

egyptindependent.com

____________________________________________

Something is telling me that Russia and China is aiming at Kazakhstan one way or another. I don't think Kazakhstan has managed to diversify their energy sources enough and that's why they're easily affected. If Russia bypasses Kazakhstan and delivers gas to China from a different route and such. Then it'll be easier for Russia to raise the price.

They have to do this before Kazakhstan becomes stronger and more diverse. Especially considering how big the country is and their ressources. Remember Russia has claimed land that belongs under Kazakhstan.

This move is probably made to weaken the Organization of Turkic states.

Though Kazakhstan has growing gas production.

Kazakhstan Looks to Azerbaijan for Gas Transit

eurasianet.org

 

[Saithan]

Azerbaijan - kazakhstan: caspian cooperation and prospects​

Abstract. This article analyses co-operation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region in foreign policy, economic, security and cultural affairs, and in the transport and energy supply sector. It explores the history of the development of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the two countries’ strategies for foreign policy and the role of transport and energy supply projects in establishing a strategic partnership. It outlines the current issues concerning the legal status of the Caspian Sea and draws special attention to inter-cultural ties within Türksoy.

The scientific objective of this article is to examine the objectivity in the analysis of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region and the prospects for cooperation. The comparative and deductive approaches made it possible to describe energy supply projects in the Caspian region and the importance and role of the projects in enhancing the bilateral relations and identify the interests of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region.

The strategic importance of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway line in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy and of a close co-operation with Azerbaijan in the Caspian region is rising. There is a tendency for Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to have convergent views on co-operation in multiple areas.

Introduction
Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have always been friendly. These countries are connected by a common culture, a common religion and common traditions. The existing transport and energy projects in the Caspian region unite the interests and geopolitical goals of both countries. Strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region takes place in the context of a number of important issues. Caspian cooperation between countries is a worthwhile topic for academic research, and deserves special attention.

The main direction of Azerbaijan’s and Kazakhstan’s foreign policy in the Caspian region
Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan were established on August 30, 1992. The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Azerbaijan was established on January 9, 1993. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kazakhstan was established on March 1, 2004. The first official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, to Azerbaijan was on September 16, 1996 [1].

During the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Kazakhstani political leadership tried to consolidate its independence, and a political area was formed, both at regional and international levels [2].

After gaining independence, the foreign policy milestones of both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan had common features. For example, Azerbaijan pursued a foreign policy aimed at strengthening stability in the region. Using economic force as an instrument of foreign policy, the state expanded its circle of partners. The economic strength of the state is a weapon from the "hard-power" arsenal of foreign policy, based on the use of resources.

The presence of political interest in the economic cooperation of states remains a fact. For example, the foreign economic cooperation of the states of the Caspian region and the implementation of oil and gas projects reduce the dependence of the states of the region on the Russian Federation. Such steps ensure effective regional integration within a certain format. In this context, the Caspian region is the main center of strategic cooperation between the Caspian countries.

Azerbaijan's foreign policy in the Caspian region is aimed at expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and integration of the states of the region. Azerbaijan has turned the Caspian region into an open zone of international cooperation.

After coming to power in 1993, President Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan witnessed one of the most important problems - the contradiction and unstable nature of the state's foreign political correlations at the regional level and uncertain prospects in the world foreign policy arena. He prepared a draft foreign-policy concept that fully corresponded to the state interests of modern Azerbaijan, taking into account the issues of establishing international and regional security on the basis of democratic values [3].

The first official visit of Azerbaijani President, Heydar Aliyev, to Kazakhstan was in June 1997. As a result, agreements on cooperation and free trade were signed.
An official visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Kazakhstan was made in March 2004. During the visit, issues of bilateral economic cooperation were discussed, especially in the Caspian region. The heads of states expressed their intention to supply oil and gas from the Caspian Sea shelf to the world market and underlined the important role of Kazakhstan in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project [4].

In its foreign policy, Kazakhstan adheres to the multi-vector strategy proclaimed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, on December 1, 1991 [5]. The main element of the implementation of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the strengthening of the multilateral nature of Kazakhstan's diplomacy [6].

Therefore its geopolitical location at the crossroads of Asia and Europe; its economic and military political interests; and its existing resources and industrial potential determine the place of Kazakhstan in the system of international relations as a regional state with a multi-vector foreign policy. To ensure its long-term interests, Kazakhstan is interested in maintaining a broad field for political maneuvers. Special features of Kazakhstan's diplomacy are its decisiveness in upholding national-state interests, multi-vector and balance.

The Republic of Kazakhstan is interested in partnership with the Republic of Azerbaijan, especially in resolving strategic issues: determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea; transportation of oil to world markets; maintenance of transport and logistics interconnections; and development of bilateral economic, political and cultural relations.

Azerbaijan was the first among the states of the region to form a new economic model of development in the Caspian region, despite the fact that the Caspian Sea is a closed sea and the issues of international cooperation were contradictory. Today even non-regional actors are interested in the projects initiated by Azerbaijan.
One of the most important issues of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is the implementation of the TRACECA project. Kazakhstan became a party to the main multilateral agreement on the development of the international transport corridor Europe - Caucasus - Asia, signed on September 7 - 8, 1998 [7].
TRACECA is an international transport corridor that links the countries of Europe and Asia. One of the specific features of the Europe-Asia route is that the delivery of goods from the sender to the recipient is carried out by rail and by ships that run on the Black and Caspian Seas. [8]. About thirty states are participants in the TRACECA project, whose headquarters are located in Baku.

For Kazakhstan, the Caspian factor is an opportunity to strengthen its position in the development of the navy, oil and gas production on the shelf of the Caspian Sea and their transportation along alternative routes. Energy policy and the possibility of transit of energy resources strengthen the strategic importance and role of Kazakhstan in the region.

Through the Republic of Kazakhstan, transport routes for oil and natural gas are going to Europe and Asia. Today Kazakhstan remains a stable supplier of energy to the world market.

Thus, in 2008, the National Company KazMunayGas and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed the Agreement on the Basic Principles for the Establishment of the Trans-Caspian Transport System. This system was designed to transport Kazakhstan oil from the Tengiz and Kashagan oil fields to the world markets via the Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline [9]. The first batch of oil extracted from the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan passed through the BTC pipeline in October 2008. However, the increase in tariffs by BTC shareholders in 2011 led to the termination of this agreement.

Oil production in Kazakhstan is growing rapidly, and has already exceeded, by some estimates, 55 million tons per year: most experts believe that the export potential of the state is four times larger than the deposits of Azerbaijan oil. At the opening ceremony of the BTC, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev specified that the "Ceyhan" direction will become only one of the routes for oil export from Kazakhstan, but in any case not the main one [10].

An important factor for both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is the Transcaspian International Transport Route (TCTR). The trans-Caspian international transport route (TCTR) runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and further through Turkey and Ukraine - to Europe. It was decided to hold the third meeting of Baku-Aktau-Samsun twin-cities council of cooperation of Turkicspeaking countries in Kazakhstan. Last October, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia signed an agreement on the establishment of the International Association of TCTR, with the office in Astana. Its activities are aimed at attracting transit and foreign trade cargo, as well as developing integrated logistics products along the TCTR route.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has enough oil reserves to fully fill the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, so the implementation of this project will be successful without Kazakh oil.

It is obvious that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan adhere to the principle of diversification in the issues of oil delivery to the world market.

The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, shows significant activity in the region [11]. The state seeks to implement transport and energy projects that satisfy its interests and simplify the integration processes in the region. Being a Caspian state, Kazakhstan maintains partnership relations, both with the states of Central Asia, and with the South Caucasus. The idea of regional integration of the states of Central Asia was realized on April 30, 1994 by signing the Agreement on the Common Economic Space.

Today Kazakhstan has significant chances to strengthen its positions in the region. Kazakhstan has a sufficient foreign policy resource for carrying out an independent play, taking into account geopolitical realities, especially in the Central Asian region [12]. In turn, the states of the South Caucasus occupy an important place in the system of economic, political, transit and transport interests of Kazakhstan [13]. The main element of the implementation of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the strengthening of the multilateral nature of Kazakhstan's diplomacy.

Kazakhstan's interests in Central Asia and the Caspian region are interrelated. This is justified by the implementation of the existing key transport and energy projects. Kazakhstan is forming its foreign policy course in the Caspian region, taking into account the priority importance of achieving the set goals, in particular, this concerns the economic sphere.

The regional policy of Azerbaijan influences the formation of national interests. Analyzing the national interests of Azerbaijan in the context of regional policy, the strategic importance of the Caspian region will not remain without attention.

The development of national security is possible due to the correct understanding, formation and maintenance of national interests. Azerbaijan - is the state of the South Caucasus and the Caspian region, which directly affects the nature of the national interests of this state in the region.

In 2010, Kazakhstan began its course of economic modernization - "Kazakhstan - 2020". Today, Kazakhstan's economy not only successfully overcomes crisis conditions, but also moves purposefully on the path of innovation-industrial development [14].

Foreign policy milestones of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the Caspian region
Looking ahead, Kazakhstan will enhance its foreign policy in the east, especially in relation to China. Cooperation with the Russian Federation is lower down the priority list. This is confirmed by Kazakhstan academics and analysts, by characterizing the situation in the region as confrontational for the Russian Federation. So, in his book "Apart: Russia and the countries of Central Asia" A.K. Bisenbaev notes: "Russia's integration efforts in the CIS space are ritualistic. In practice, the state, the ideology of which has the character of confrontation with the whole world, is engaged in pushing away its allies and searching for new enemies. All world and regional events are evaluated from the standpoint of stand-off and confrontation" [15].

The book "Caspian chess board: geopolitical, geostrategic and geo-economic analysis" of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan states: "The development of energy and transport potential makes Azerbaijan an important player in the Eurasian region. In this context, due to the favorable geographic location, Azerbaijan becomes an active participant in transport projects between the Middle East and the European Union" [16].

Despite the fact that China is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the implementation of energy and transport projects, the role of Azerbaijan in the implementation of the Great Silk Road project is not without interest. Thus, the project of President Nursultan Nazarbayev "The New Silk Road" provides for the transit of goods between Europe and Asia through the South Caucasus corridor and Kazakhstan. China, being an extra-regional power, is interested in seeking a shorter transit route to Europe. That is why the South Caucasus and the Caspian region as a whole are of strategic importance not only in the bilateral relations of the Caspian states, but also with extra- regional actors.

No wonder that Patrick Verhoeven, chairman of the International Association of Ports and Harbors, said: "Baku can play an important role in the implementation of the concept "One zone - one way" [17]. The capital of Azerbaijan has historically been an integral part of the Silk Road and today there are all opportunities for building effective and favorable conditions for cooperation in the Caspian region, both with Kazakhstan and the states of the Far East. In turn, the Turkic vector and cooperation with the Turkic-speaking states, first of all with the Republic of Azerbaijan, play an important role in the foreign policy of Kazakhstan. Bilateral relations of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the Caspian region are realized taking into account economic and geopolitical interests.

According to Kazakhstan expert Aidos Taibekuly, there is a transit dependence of Kazakhstan. Transit routes, which Kazakhstan uses to enter world markets and the ocean, run through the territories of other states [18].

For example, a cargo transportation route from Turkey to Kazakhstan passes through Azerbaijan, in particular, cargo is transported to the port of Aktau via the ferry lines operating in the Caspian Sea. In addition, diversification of transit and export routes of Kazakhstan gas is an important strategic task of the Kazakhstan government.

Another direction of the foreign policy of Kazakhstan in the Caspian region is cooperation with Azerbaijan within the framework of Turkey - Georgia - Azerbaijan - Kazakhstan format. So, in August 2012 at the Bishkek summit of the Council on Cooperation of the Turkic-speaking countries a decision was made to create a transport corridor between these states [19]. The strategy "Kazakhstan - 2050" states: "It is difficult to imagine the sustainable development of the state's transit potential without the exit of Kazakhstan into the World Ocean" [20]. Kazakhstan strives for broad cooperation, including the whole region of the Caspian Sea.

Orientation to the West is possible due to the implementation of transport and energy projects, initiated by the Republic of Azerbaijan. One of these projects is the "Baku-Tbilisi-Kars" transport corridor.

In April 2017, the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. Analyst of the Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Studies S. Kushkumbayev emphasized the importance of this visit: "Azerbaijan is our strategic partner in Transcaucasus - economic, transport, communication, moreover, we are part of the Turkic Union, this is an important factor" [21]. As a result of the visit, bilateral trade and economic agreements were signed. "We look forward to the introduction of the Baku-Tbilisi- Kars railway, which will significantly shorten the time spent on transportation from Asia to Europe and from Europe to Asia through our territories," said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. [22] The construction of the Baku- Tbilisi-Kars railway will become an "Iron Silk Road", which will unite Asia with Europe. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will be able to supply goods in different directions, as well as to act as transit countries for a large cargo flow [23].

On October 30, 2017, the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was invited to Baku for the opening ceremony of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project. This important event was the beginning of the implementation of the international transport project, which became the shortest corridor between Asia and Europe. The initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan allowed all parties to benefit on equal terms. For example, the Baku-Tbilisi- Kars project ensured economic cooperation, tourism development, integration, trade and security in the Caspian region and outside the region. Undoubtedly, in the long term Kazakhstan will also be able to become a participant of this project. The export of Kazakhstan grain to Europe will be possible through the territory of Azerbaijan, in case of connection of the large "Silk Road" to the new project. Given this geopolitical situation, the government of Kazakhstan can potentially take the initiative to participate in the Baku- Tbilisi-Kars project. This will strengthen existing relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the Caspian region. Kazakhstan has established itself as a reliable partner in matters of international cooperation and is an important partner of Azerbaijan in the Caspian region [24].

The status of the Caspian Sea at the present stage
Another important issue is the status of the Caspian Sea. Between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan there are no contradictions on the status of the Caspian Sea.

The official position of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the status of the Caspian Sea provides for the application of certain provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 concerning the modes and breadth of various parts of the sea. Kazakhstan stands for establishment of the territorial sea, fishing zone and common water space in the Caspian. On November 29, 2001 the Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan was signed, and on February 27, 2003 the Additional Protocol was signed [25]. Also in 2003, an agreement was signed between the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation on the point of junction of the lines of delineation of adjacent sections of the bottom of the Caspian Sea. These agreements have legal force and were signed with the aim of realizing the sovereign rights to subsurface use. From a legal point of view, these states agreed on delimitation of the Northern part of the Caspian Sea [26].

The presence of natural resources on the Caspian Sea bottom pushed Kazakhstan to more actively defend the position of the sectoral division of the Caspian Sea.
The legal positions of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on the status of the Caspian Sea coincide. In his work, an Azerbaijani international lawyer conducts a comparison of the positions of both states: "Azerbaijan views the Caspian Sea as an international or border lake", the bottom and waters of which should be divided according to the sectoral principle of coastal states into zones subject to their full control. Kazakhstan, which once drafted the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea in 1994, tended to a less radical position - the Caspian Sea is a closed sea and must be governed by the principles and norms of international maritime law, including the establishment of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, continental for each coastal state [27].

Since the contradictions regarding the status of the Caspian Sea continue to weaken, a solution to this problem becomes possible. The Caspian states are gradually implementing plans to develop a draft Convention to determine the status of the Caspian Sea. The governments of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are supporters of the project and are making efforts to accelerate this process. "The current stage of negotiations on the legal status of the Caspian Sea can be considered the beginning of the final stage", Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov said at a press conference on the results of the 39th meeting of the Special Working Group held in Baku at the level of foreign ministers of the Caspian states in connection with the preparation of the Convention on the determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea [28].

The adoption of a joint Convention will ensure close and broad cooperation in the field of security. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan share common interests in creating safe communications in the region: counterterrorism efforts, fight against organized crime, prevention of smuggling and other important issues that require joint efforts to resolve. Obviously, the preservation of security in the Caspian region is the prerogative of the Caspian states, therefore, negotiations on security are often conducted at the multilateral level during the Caspian summit.

Cooperation in the field of security
It is known that the third Caspian summit was held in Baku on November 18, 2010. As a result of the summit, an agreement on cooperation in the field of security was signed [29]. This document has become an important legal base, which all the Caspian states have signed. As a result of the 5th summit of the Caspian states, which was held in Aktau on August 12, 2018, the Convention on the status of the Caspian Sea was adopted. Negotiations over this convention have been conducted for many years. Achieving a compromise between the countries was a historic event.

According to the convention, the main area of the water surface of the Caspian Sea remains in the common use of the parties, and the bottom and subsoil are divided by neighboring states into zones by agreement between them on the basis of international law.

The summit in Aktau was a very important event. First, the issue of the legal status of the Caspian Sea was resolved. Second, the laying of pipelines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea became possible without obstacles. In the future, the transit potential of the Caspian countries will increase. Kazakhstan, like Azerbaijan, actively invests in the development of port connections.

The signing of the Convention on the status of the Caspian Sea also affects the development of cooperation between the Caspian countries in the security sphere.
In 2010, Kazakhstan was elected chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. This was an important event for the government of Kazakhstan. For the first time among post-Soviet states, Kazakhstan took this place and earned the trust of many European states. Kazakhstan positions itself as a key intermediary between East and West, respecting the basic principles of the OSCE [30]. Also, Kazakhstan was elected on June 28, 2016 as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018.

Cooperation in the field of ensuring energy security was among the key priorities of Kazakhstan in the activities of the UN Security Council [31]. The adoption of Kazakhstan in the framework of such an important structure confirms the dynamically growing authority of the state in the region and draws attention to the official position of the state in the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the official speeches of the President of Kazakhstan is formulated as the need for a peaceful settlement. The Government of Kazakhstan supports the principle of peaceful settlement of conflicts and calls for compliance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are members of the Turkic Council, an international organization that was established in 2009 in Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan). Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are the founding states of the organization. The summits were held in such cities as Bishkek, Gabala, Bodrum and Astana. The main goals of the Turkic Cooperation Council are to strengthen peace in the region and the world, to jointly solve foreign policy issues, to maintain ties and create conditions for attracting investments, and to fight extremism, terrorism, and transnational crime. [32]

Cooperation in the field of security: "Soft power" and foreign policy in the Caspian region
The effectiveness of "cultural diplomacy" between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is confirmed by the activities of the International Turkic Academy (ITA), whose members are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, established in 2012 by the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev during the 9th summit of the heads of Turkic-speaking states in Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan).

The main mission of the ITA is to develop the scientific and educational activities of associations of Turkic nations, as well as create conditions for supporting and creating conditions for initiatives of politicians of Turkic-speaking states [33].

In April 2017, in honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan in the cities of Baku and Sheki, the days of Kazakhstan culture organized by the TURKSOY organization were held. This year, Ilham Aliyev presented the Order of Heydar Aliyev to President Nursultan Nazarbayev, which had a symbolic character. This event underscored the high level of bilateral relations between fraternal peoples.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have a common language, religion and traditions. Geographic proximity and historical past play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations. Transport and energy projects bring together the interests and positions of Azerbaijan and
Kazakhstan in the Caspian region. In the context of a new geopolitical reality, the efforts of the Turkic-speaking states on various forms of interaction are continuously increasing. The Republic of Azerbaijan supports the unity of the Turkic world.

Conclusion
Thus, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have a dynamic character. Cooperation in the Caspian region creates mutual trust and partnership, as the strategic importance of the region brings together the interests of both states. Existing transport and energy projects play an important role in strengthening economic relations between states and opening up new prospects. The Republic of Azerbaijan is the leading state in the region and the initiator of international projects aimed at making the Caspian Sea a center of trade between the West and the East. The international policy of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region is conditioned by the implementation of a number of important issues:

Economic issues: the transit dependence of Kazakhstan creates the need for rapprochement with the states of the region. Thus, the export of the Kazakhstani goods to Europe through the territory of Azerbaijan will be promising and profitable. This also concerns the diversification of energy resources, covers the supply of oil and gas. Taking into account economic opportunities and international confidence to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan takes active part and shows interest in the initiated projects of official Baku. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project envisages the creation of a railway corridor, which will facilitate the attraction of cargoes from China to Europe through the territory of Kazakhstan.

Political and legal issues: common position of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan concerning the status of the Caspian Sea is confirmed by the absence of contradictions. Agreed contract is a guarantee of the existing position and readiness of the parties to adopt the Convention on the status of the Caspian Sea at the level of five Caspian states.

The position of Kazakhstan in the Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict deserves the confidence of the Azerbaijani government.

Cultural issues: The presence of the Turkic factor in the relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan plays a special role. Joint participation in international organizations that unite Turkic-speaking states is not only a form of strengthening cultural relations and cultural heritage, but also a kind of political unity.

Azerbaijan - kazakhstan: caspian cooperation and prospects

This article analyses co-operation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the Caspian region in foreign policy, economic, security and cultural affairs, and in the transport and energy supply sector

articlekz.com

 

[Kartal1]

Kazakhstan government resigns following fuel price protests​

The announcement came hours after the government declared a two-week state of emergency following protests over surging fuel prices. Protesters had earlier demanded the government resign.

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev accepted the resignation of his government Wednesday following violent protests over surging fuel prices. Tokayev named Alikhan Smailov as acting prime minister, according to the president's office.

Earlier Wednesday, Tokayev had declared a two-week state of emergency in the financial capital Almaty and the province of Mangystau after protests broke out in several locations.

The protests on Tuesday came after authorities lifted price caps on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), allowing fuel prices to rise significantly.

The interior ministry said demonstrations continued on Wednesday when, "groups of citizens blocked roads and blocked traffic, disrupting public order."

More than 200 people had been detained and 95 police officers injured since the start of protests.

When announcing his government's resignation, Tokayev also said that the price cap would be reintroduced as a "temporary price regulation" for a period of 180 days.

The state of emergency includes an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, movement restrictions, and a ban on mass gatherings, according to official documents.

How did the protests start?​

After a surge in the price of fuel, protests with thousands of participants were held in the Mangystau oil hub of Zhanaozen.

Demonstrations spread to other parts of Mangystau and western Kazakhstan, including the provincial center Aktau and the Tengizchevroil worker camp.

Police used tear gas and stun grenades to eject protester's from Almaty's main square early on Wednesday. The AFP news agency reported that there were more than 5,000 protesters at the Almaty rally on Tuesday night.


Demonstrations Tuesday afternoon spread to the Mangystau provincial center Aktau
"Calls to attack government and military offices are absolutely illegal," Tokayev said in an address.

AFP reported that protesters had been chanting "government resign" before police moved in and clashed with demonstrators.

Why are people in Kazakhstan protesting?

The Mangystau region depends on LPG as the main fuel for vehicles. Jumps in fuel prices also affect the price of food, which has increased substantially since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many Kazakhs run their cars on LPG, which in Kazakhstan is cheaper than using gasoline due to price caps. The government lifted the caps on January 1, arguing that the low price was unsustainable.

Read more below:

Kazakhstan government resigns following protests – DW – 01/05/2022

The announcement came hours after the government declared a two-week state of emergency following protests over surging fuel prices. Protesters had earlier demanded the government resign.

www.dw.com

 

[Saithan]

I think the problem is that the government didn't take the time to talk about the unsustainability and allow the media to bring it up and spread the information and cost etc. and let it sink.

People need time to digest information and not everyone understands immediately. Allowing the topic to be discussed over and over for 1-2 years would be far better than, taking the decision and implementing it overnight. Even if it has been an issue for a long time because the only ones aware of it are government officials and smart people.

That process is very important in a democracy and allows society to get to terms with the cost and such.

 

[Kartal1]

Situation in Almaty is tense

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1478657614527574018

 

[Ravenman]

Every country that has good relations with Turkey or that had signed great deals with us, gets a problem or 'color revolution' (Sudan, Venezuela, Somalia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ukraine etc).

Khazakstan is a big rival of Russia and Iran in the energysector.

 

[Anastasius]

As much as Kazakhstan's government sucks, these protests are clearly on some level astroturfed. Fuel price hikes don't tend to bring out these kinds of crowds and having lived in Kazakhstan for about 3 years, let me tell you, these people aren't the French. They aren't even the Kyrgyz. And Kazakhstan's current government has been becoming increasingly hostile towards China and Russia so guess who benefits most of all?

EDIT: Actually, come to think of it, the US also benefits from the current government and Nazarbayev's influence weakening. So it could've even been a CIA-sponsored thing. Only thing I can be certain of, this isn't an organic movement. Nothing of this scale usually is unless there's a legitimate civil war going on.

 

[Turko]

Kazakh president fails to quell protests, ex-Soviet states offer help

A Russia-led security alliance of ex-Soviet states will send peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan, Armenia's prime minister said on Thursday, after the Kazakh president appealed for their help in quelling violent and deadly protests.

www.reuters.com

Putin will lose Kazakhstan?

Песков ответил на вопрос о помощи Казахстану из-за массовых протестов

Казахстан не обращался к России за помощью из-за беспорядков в ряде крупных городов, в Кремле выступают против вмешательства кого-либо извне и считают, что... РИА Новости, 05.01.2022

ria.ru

The Kazakh authorities did not ask Russia for help and will cope with the protests themselves, the Kremlin said.

Kazakhstan has not yet asked Russia for help regarding the events in the country, said on Wednesday, January 5, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov, RIA Novosti writes.



"We are convinced that our Kazakh friends can independently solve their internal problems. It is important that no one interferes from the outside," he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that they hope for an early normalization of the situation in Kazakhstan.

They stressed that the Russian Federation stands for a peaceful solution to all problems in Kazakhstan within the legal framework, and not through street riots and violation of laws.
Also, the Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the steps of the President of Kazakhstan to stabilize the situation in the country are aimed at a peaceful, prompt solution to problems.

The Russian Federation is closely following the events "in fraternal Kazakhstan," the department added.
Protests in Kazakhstan over gas prices began in the Mangistau region. Last year, its retail price in the region was 50-60 tenge per liter then since the beginning of this year prices at local gas stations have doubled - up to 120 tenge per liter

SHOT

В Актау митингующие захватили грузовик с военными. Сообщается, что среди силовиков есть раненые. SHOT

t.me

SHOT

"Пипец! Юра, пошли отсюда!" Мирно настроенные жители Алма-Аты в шоке от происходящего на улицах. SHOT

t.me

Ateo Breaking

Солдату досталось

t.me

There is an active traffic of business jets in the airspace of Kazakhstan. Private jets fly to Moscow and Europe

⚡️The security forces fled from Almaty

The level of support for the president is so great that no one came to him defence

Ateo Breaking

⚡️Силовики сбежали из Алматы Уровень поддержки президента так велик, что никто не вышел на его защиту

t.me