UK AND KAZAKHSTAN – ON THE WAY TO A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Vindicating the national and regional interests in the foreign policy, the Republic of Kazakhstan has opted for multi-vector policy, the core of which was the strategy of multilateral partnership. During the years of independence, Kazakhstan has become a full member of the modern system of International relations. Foreign policy priorities "remain the same - active, versatile and balanced foreign policy, able to face the challenges of the XXI century and aimed at ensuring the long-term national interests".

Kazakhstan, as the largest Eurasian state, located in Asia and parts of Europe, has included in its strategic interests both western and eastern directions. However, from the very beginning of the sovereign history of foreign policy of Kazakhstan much attention and importance was given to the European vector. This was due to a high degree of economic and political integration in the region. One of the key partners of Kazakhstan in Europe originally was the United Kingdom.

The development of the partnerships with the UK is the key to the strategic interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Attention to the British side is given because the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as one of the economic leaders in Europe, to some extent, can promote the interests of Kazakhstan in the international arena. No less for Kazakhstan is important and the success of the democratic reforms in the country. British interest in Kazakhstan due to the presence on the territory of huge reserves of oil, gas and other minerals. Kazakhstan also has a powerful transit potential. Through the territory of Kazakhstan runs a convenient way from the West to the East, which is very beneficial for developing economic relations with the countries of Europe and the Far East, Southeast Asia. Both Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom takes an active part in maintaining global security in the world, are opposed to violence to resolve conflicts, oppose terrorism, extremism and separatism.

In the early 90s, after gaining independence and in connection with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made a number of "urgent" trips to the CIS countries. Central Asian countries have been declared in the Foreign Office as objects, being an area of strategic interests, and such "zones" was directed increased compared with the others regions of the headquarters of the diplomatic staff.

Great Britain recognized the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 1 January, 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 19, 1992, during a visit to Kazakhstan of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UK Douglas Hurd. In October, 1992 was opened the British Embassy in Almaty, which in 2006 "moved" to the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan Astana. Kazakh Embassy in the UK was opened in 1996. Since January, 2006, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain in the Republic of Kazakhstan has been Mr. Paul Brummell, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the UK has been Mr. Kairat Abusseitov.

In October 1991, took place the first in the history of the bilateral relations visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to the United Kingdom, which laid the foundation for the rapid development of the bilateral relations. During this visit, N.A.Nazarbayev presented the Repbulic of Kazakhstan, focusing on investment opportunities of the young state.

January 18, 1992, N.A.Nazarbayev met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom Douglas Hurd. At the meeting were discussed ways of development of the bilateral political and economic cooperation, the problem of relocation and reduction of nuclear weapons.

In the period from 1992 to 1993. Kazakhstan was visited by the Minister of Energy and Fuel Resources of the UK John Wakeham, the State Secretary of Health Virginia Bottomley, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne. Following these meetings, several documents were signed by the relevant industry, was brought attention of the British public and the business community to the economic, health and environmental issues in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The evidence of much attention of the UK to our country are visits of the members of the royal family. In July, 1993, Princess Anne visited Almaty, in November, 1996, the President of Kazakhstan N.A.Nazarbayev took the heir to the British throne Prince Charles, and in 2000 in Kazakhstan arrived Duke of Gloucester.

The next official visit of the President of Kazakhstan in the UK occured on 15-17 November, 2000, during which the President held talks with Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Defence Minister Dzh.Hunom and the representatives of the British business circles. Nursultan Nazarbayev was awarded the highest award of the United Kingdom “Grand Cross of the Order of St.Michael and St.George”. During the visit were signed documents on cooperation in the military sphere, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the company «BAE Systems» and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Science and the British Council on the establishment of the Kazakh-British University.

Particular attention is paid to the bilateral relations of cooperation in the economic field. Kazakhstan ties with Britain as one of the world's major markets and economic centers - is a good chance to improve the economic well-being and development of the country. In practical significance it can be reflected positively in the saturation of the domestic market and financial products. In general, the development of economic relations between states has the following main areas:

- Economic and trade cooperation;

- Cooperation in the investment sphere;

- Cooperation in the oil sector.

Trade and economic cooperation covers a wide range of economic areas. Kazakhstan exports to the UK products, steel, wool, hides and skins, precious and semi-precious metals. UK imports to Kazakhstan equipment, vehicles, chemical products, textiles, food products and others. In terms of trade the United Kingdom is the third European trade partner of Kazakhstan. In 2010, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland amounted to more than $ 1 billion. United States, 2006 - more than 900 million US dollars (export – 650.7 mln, import - 333.4 mln.), in 2005 - 743.8 mln $ (export - 320.5 mln., import - 423.3 mln.), in 2004 - 541.1 mln $ (export - 240 mln, import - 301.1 mln.), and in 2003 - 395 mln.$ (export - 142.9 mln., import - 252.1 mln.). In the investment sphere of the interaction should be noted that Britain supports the second largest investor in Kazakhstan.

The most important area of the Kazakh-British cooperation is the energy sector. It is important to note that in 2005 in London, a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening the bilateral cooperation in the field of energy. This document is an important agreement for the improvement of the business and investment from the United Kingdom. British investments in Kazakhstan relate mainly oil and gas. There operate successfully world-famous company «Shell», «British Petroleum» and «British Gas», the last one participates in the largest to date in Kazakhstan development projects Karachaganak oil and gas field with a share of 32.5%, consortiums "Kazakhstan caspishelf" and Caspian Pipeline (CPC). Also, there are representatives of a number of British companies and 40 joint enterprises with Kazakh participants. UK Businesses continue to demonstrate their willingness to share a wealth of experience of privatization of industry and participate in continuing it in Kazakhstan.

Campaigns on the transfer to the management and ownership to foreign investors of the large industrial enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan are working successfully under the leadership of the UK's largest owners and Steel Works «MittalSteel», gold mining companies "Three K.Eksploreyshn" and "Bakyrchik Gold."

A significant number of the British companies operate in the service sector, providing consultancy, banking and legal services. The British are represented in the civil aviation sector, where the company «British Airspace» participated in the creation and holds a 49% stake of the national carrier «Air Astana». The British companies also work in the field of tobacco products, non-ferrous metal production, the provision of educational services and other sectors.

Culture in the bilateral relations serves the link that brings people together. Since 1993, in Kazakhstan has been actively working the British Council (BC) - an independent organization that also serves the function of the cultural department at the British Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main activity of the Council is focused on the development of the English language in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as in the field of culture, art and education. BS holds language courses for public sector organizations and private companies. Together with BS is coordinated the training of the Kazakh youth in the UK.

In 2001, the government issued a decree on the establishment of the Kazakh-British Technical University. The task of the University - training of highly qualified personnel for industrial complexes of the country with the assistance of advanced foreign technology and education experts, as well as the best domestic experts. The UK is also one of the most popular countries for training, which is chosen by the students in the educational line of the Scholarships of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Bolashak”.

In 2005, the UK implemented a number of cultural projects that contribute to the dissemination of information about Kazakhstan and attracting the attention of the British public to the culture of Kazakhstan. For example, on April 15, 2005 in London at the Royal Festival Hall was hosted a concert of the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the talented young Kazakh conductor Alan Buribaeva, on June 3 A.Buribaev made a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in the Cathedral of the English city of Winchester.

Thus, the interests of Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom are interrelated and are aimed at the development of friendly and mutually beneficial relations. Today we can talk about the intensive cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and culture. Through the constant visits and meetings at the highest level, the activities of official and business circles, the UK recognizes Kazakhstan as a dynamically developing country and as a reliable partner. Britain has become one of the main trade partners of Kazakhstan in Europe. Investment opportunities in the UK have had a tremendous help in the development of Kazakhstan's economy. Cultural and humanitarian ties allow nations to get to know the culture, traditions and customs of each other.

References

1. Ivatova L.M., R.A.Matishev “Features of development of the Kazakh-British relations in the economic sphere”. Kazakhstan – Spectrum, 2006.

№ 1. p. 82-85.

2. Message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kazakh people "Kazakhstan on the way of accelerated economic, social and political modernization», 2005. portal.mfa.kz

3. Tokayev K.K. “Under the banner of independence: essays on Kazakhstan's foreign policy”. – Almaty : Bilim, 1997. p. 736-737.