ASTANA – On March 6, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the book “Kazakhstan in the International Community (Essays of Multilateral Diplomacy)” edited by former Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov (April 2011–September 2012) at the National Academic Library in Astana.
The presentation was dedicated to the 21st anniversary of Kazakhstan’s accession to the United Nations, which happened on March 2, 1992. This anniversary is one more milestone showing the development of Kazakhstan’s multilateral diplomacy through its 20 years of independence, Kazakhstan’s activity within major international and regional organisations and Kazakhstan’s president’s initiatives to promote peace and strengthen regional and global security.
Speakers at the presentation included U.N. Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan Stephen Tull, Deputy Head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Kazakhstan Jeannette Kloetzer, Head of the Foreign Policy Centre of the Presidential Administration Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Director of the Institute of Diplomacy Saulekul Saylaukyzy and Dean of the International Relations Faculty at Gumilev Eurasian National University Baubek Somzhurek. The presentation was attended by representatives of the Foreign Ministry, government agencies, educational institutions and international organisations, as well as the mass media.
Guests were welcomed by Serzhan Abdykarimov, chairman of the Foreign Ministry’s Committee for Foreign Policy Analysis and Forecasting, who read a welcoming letter from Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Idrissov.
“Today’s event is dedicated to the 21st anniversary of the accession of Kazakhstan to the United Nations. This date is of great historical and political significance for our young state, which then had received the opportunity to participate directly in discussions of global and regional issues and to be involved in decision-making on global issues,” stated the letter.
“Thanks to the creative and proactive activities of Kazakhstan, the international community has witnessed of the transformation of our country into a credible and responsible partner in the promotion of peace, stability and development in the world… Kazakhstan’s land has become the venue for the different organisations’ high-level meetings,” Idrissov continued in his letter.
The Foreign Ministry also underlined that the book lays out the historical background, the process of entry and the main aspects of the country’s activities in major international and regional associations during its years of independence. The book marks the new contours and objectives for Kazakhstan’s diplomacy, which will promote the country’s national interests in the years to come.
In his speech, Stephen Tull underlined the importance of Kazakhstan’s policies for preserving security in the region. He also emphasised the role of the country in today’s world politics. “Kazakhstan is a country that has developed a multilateral approach to the political system and established a good balance between the interests of foreign policy and the preservation of its own interests,” he said.
Its location in the heart of Eurasia gives the country an understanding of both Asian and European mentalities. Kazakhstan’s unique initiatives distinguish it in the global arena.
“The historical documentary material collected in the book focuses on the most important principles of the foreign policy of Kazakhstan, making this a significant publication,” Tull said.
The head of the United Nations Development Programme also called Kazakhstan a global model of success, serving as an example for its neighbours. Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Kazakhstan Jeannette Kloetzer highlighted the OSCE summit held in the country and Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in the OSCE in 2010 as milestones for the country and the world at large. These events are given special attention in the book.
“We wanted to cover the main aspects of Kazakhstan’s policies under the leadership of the head of state in a multilateral format, achieving goals and objectives aimed at ensuring national and international security, the development of our country and society… the Foreign Ministry will continue to make every effort to protect national interests and strengthen the authority of Kazakhstan in the international arena,” said Idrissov’s letter.
Organisers expressed hopes that the book will be of interest to the expert community, professors, students and all people interested in Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.
