“South Caucasus is a region of growing importance. The current dynamics of visits by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other state officials to the countries of the South Caucasus reflect a transition in Kazakhstan’s relations with this region to a new level. In a challenging geopolitical environment, Kazakhstan's foreign policy continues to develop formats of flexible multilateralism,” said Miras Zhiyenbayev, the head of the foreign policy and international studies program at the MIND think tank at the Maqsut Narikbayev University in an interview with Kazinform News Agency.
“Kazakhstan is effectively becoming a very important provider of the agenda for diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation across the entire Eurasian space. On one hand, we observe an unprecedented complex of global, regional, and national challenges facing the states of our region. On the other hand, the constructive, peaceful agenda of Kazakhstan's foreign policy creates unique opportunities for Astana to develop significant potential of its diplomatic capabilities,” Zhiyenbayev noted.
He stated that the South Caucasus region is becoming increasingly significant for Kazakhstan's foreign policy and trade.
According to the expert, relations with the South Caucasus are critical to Kazakhstan’s ambition to develop its transport-logistical potential. “Today, our unique geostrategic position enables us to ensure continental interconnectedness in the global trading system. The South Caucasus states are important strategic partners in realizing our transport-logistical potential,” Zhiyenbayev underlined.
Zhiyenbayev believes that by creating new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation among the states of the South Caucasus with each other and with the Central Asian region, Kazakhstan is shaping the contours of a new formula for interregional relations and peaceful co-development.
