Date:

Share:

Seeking Strong Cooperation on the Astana-Abu Dhabi Line

Similar Posts

This post is also available in: Türkçe Русский

Kazakhstan is a state that stands out with its reform processes among Central Asian countries. The most important aim of these reforms is to create a prosperous future for the Kazakh people. In this context, the Astana administration, which has taken liberalization steps, also attaches great importance to attracting foreign direct investment. On the other hand, Gulf countries are making investments in Central Asia and gaining important economic gains within the framework of the relations they have developed with the countries of the region. Therefore, when we look at the relations between the Gulf countries and the Central Asian republics, it is seen that pragmatic cooperation based on mutual respect and shaped by a win-win logic has developed. In the nature of Kazakhstan-United Arab Emirates (UAE) relations, there is a cooperation model that suits the interests of both sides. For this reason, the visit of the President of Kazakhstan,  Kasım-Cömert Tokayev to Abu Dhabi on 16-19 January 2023 is worth examining.[1]

Tokayev, who went to Abu Dhabi as the guest of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as part of the “Sustainable Development Week”, first attended the event and then met with his UAE counterpart. In the meeting between the leaders, which took place in a very constructive atmosphere, Tokayev said that Kazakhstan is ready and willing to produce and supply organic agricultural products to the UAE market. In addition, Tokayev invited UAE companies to invest in his country, especially in the food industry.[2]

Nahyan, on the other hand, said that the strong UAE-Kazakhstan relations, which have been going on for more than 30 years, have been strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, due to the fact that they are built on mutual understanding, and that the agreement signed in October 2021 to establish a long-term strategic partnership between the parties, especially in energy. trade, space etc. stated that it offers great opportunities in the fields.[3]

As it can be understood, both countries emphasize economic cooperation. In this context, in the meeting between the leaders, it was emphasized that the trade volume in bilateral relations reached 600 million dollars in 2022 and the target of increasing this figure to 1 billion dollars was adopted.[4] In addition to all these, nine different memorandums of understanding were signed between the parties in order to improve relations on the Astana-Abu line. The signed documents are:[5]

  • Joint Declaration on Strategic Investment Projects
  • Memorandum of Understanding Between Kazakhstan Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development and UAE General Civil Aviation Authority
  • Agreement of Principles between the Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy and the Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund and the UAE Masdar Company
  • Cooperation Agreement between KIDF and Masdar Company
  • Mutual Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Ports of Kazakhstan and Abu Dhabi
  • Strategic Cooperation Agreement Between KasMunaiGas of Kazakhstan and Abu Dhabi Ports
  • Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Health and Prevention of the UAE on Cooperation in the Field of Health
  • Mutual Memorandum of Understanding between the Kazakhstan Public Administration Academy and the UAE Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy

Agreement between the Archives of the President of Kazakhstan and the UAE National Library and ArchivesWhen we look at the agreements above, it can be said that the parties are determined to develop cooperation at the level of strategic partnership. In addition, Masdar’s prominence indicates that UAE companies will come to the fore in the projects to be carried out regarding the renewable energy sector in Kazakhstan. The cooperation and infrastructure projects between KasMunaiGas and Abu Dhabi Ports can be interpreted as a harbinger of the participation of UAE companies, including the Caspian Sea, in infrastructure investments, especially in terms of energy. In the joint statement published after the meeting between the leaders, the following statements were included:[6]

“Reaffirming the importance of the fruitful economic partnership between the two countries, the parties expressed their intention to further deepen the bilateral economic cooperation in line with the national interests. In particular, promising areas such as renewable energy, food security, agriculture, mining, transport and logistics sectors, construction and cooperation between international financial centers were discussed.…

…The parties agreed on the deepening of cultural exchange, as well as the expansion of cooperation in the fields of tourism, sports, education, science and health, the rapprochement of the peoples, the deepening of mutual understanding between them, the mutual enrichment of cultures and the development of bilateral relations.”

As can be understood from the aforementioned statement, Kazakhstan-UAE relations have a multidimensional structure. It is clear that the driving dynamic of these relations is commercial relations. However, the parties also desire to increase the interaction between the peoples and strengthen the bonds of love through fields such as culture, education, sports, science and health. All these issues reveal that the relations on the Astana-Abu Dhabi line have a tendency to develop and deepen.

As a result, Tokayev visited Abu Dhabi on 16-19 January 2023 and attended the “Sustainable Development Week” event and met with his UAE counterpart, Nahyan. The meeting of the two leaders resulted in the signing of nine memorandums of understanding between the parties, demonstrating the determination of both countries to develop relations. It can be said that the economy is the driving force in these relations. Because Kazakhstan invests; The UAE, on the other hand, is in search of a market. Therefore, there is a pragmatic relationship between the parties that prioritizes mutual interests. However, bilateral relations are not limited to economic cooperation. Because both Astana and Abu Dhabi; education, science, culture, etc. to strengthen interaction in areas as well, and therefore not only states; He also wants to build bridges between people.


[1] “Kazakh President Arrives in UAE for Official Visit”, Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2023/01/kazakh-president-arrives-in-uae-for-official-visit/, (Date of Accession: 18.01.2023).

[2] “President Tokayev’s Visit to UAE: Focus on Increased Business and Investment Ties”, KazInform, https://www.inform.kz/en/president-tokayev-s-visit-to-uae-focus-on-increased-business-and-investment-ties_a4024843, (Date of Accession: 18.01.2023).

[3] “UAE and Kazakh Presidents Discuss Bilateral Relations”, WAM, http://wam.ae/en/details/1395303119943, (Date of Accession: 18.01.2023).

[4] “President Tokayev’s Visit…”, op.cit.

[5] “President of Kazakhstan Visits UAE-Nine Documents Signed-Joint Statement Issued”, New Central Asia, https://www.newscentralasia.net/2023/01/18/president-of-kazakhstan-visits-uae-nine-documents-signed-joint-statement-issued/, (Date of Accession: 18.01.2023).

[6] Ibid.

Dr. Doğacan BAŞARAN
Dr. Doğacan BAŞARAN
Dr. Doğacan BAŞARAN, 2014 yılında Gazi Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü’nden mezun olmuştur. Yüksek lisans derecesini, 2017 yılında Giresun Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Uluslararası İlişkiler Anabilim Dalı’nda sunduğu ‘’Uluslararası Güç İlişkileri Bağlamında İkinci Dünya Savaşı Sonrası Hegemonik Mücadelelerin İncelenmesi’’ başlıklı teziyle almıştır. Doktora derecesini ise 2021 yılında Trakya Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Uluslararası İlişkiler Anabilim Dalı‘nda hazırladığı “İmparatorluk Düşüncesinin İran Dış Politikasına Yansımaları ve Milliyetçilik” başlıklı teziyle alan Başaran’ın başlıca çalışma alanları Uluslararası ilişkiler kuramları, Amerikan dış politikası, İran araştırmaları ve Afganistan çalışmalarıdır. Başaran iyi derecede İngilizce ve temel düzeyde Farsça bilmektedir.