Three decades of dedication, peace and progress
At the turn of the XX century, the internal crisis and the further collapse of the Soviet Union set the stage for the development of a new state – the Republic of Kazakhstan – as a fully-fledged member of the world community.
This year, on December 16, Kazakhstan celebrates a milestone occasion – the 30th anniversary of gaining its independence.
Indeed, in three decades, our country has come a long way, equal to centuries. Overcoming difficult challenges, our people achieved their long-awaited dream of independence. Back at that time, rational, pragmatic, and resolute leadership had been of crucial importance in order to both increase the welfare of the people in turbulent times and secure the most favorable position for a new state in the geopolitical landscape.
Today, when we look back in time, we can say that our country has chosen, perhaps, the best possible path for its development, managing to lay a solid foundation for the prosperity of future generations. In my opinion, the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev's decision to launch the “Bolashak” educational scholarship programme was unique in this respect. Thanks to it, since 1993 more than fifteen thousand young Kazakhstanis have had the opportunity to study for free at the world's leading universities in order to gain new knowledge and lead our country forward.
Another far-reaching decision made by Kazakhstan was to create a National Fund, in which it was decided to accumulate revenues from oil and gas exports. This fund was created to preserve financial resources for future generations, as well as to reduce the economy's dependence on the impact of adverse external factors. Apart from the periodic targeted use of the funds accumulated in it to support the country's economy, the benefit of having such a fund was evident in 2020 during the global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We used 2.5 bln US dollars from the National Fund to deal with the economic impact of the lockdown.
Deliberate but very decisive reforms of the First President, which are successfully continued today by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, allowed in a short period of time to unite the people and build a successful and peaceful state with a sustainable economy.
Thanks to the multi-vectored approach in foreign policy and full commitment to the norms and principles of international law that had been put forth from the very first days of independence, our country has no enemies and ill-wishers, which is our most important achievement. During its modern history, we have managed not only to form and strengthen the main institutions of political, social and economic, cultural and humanitarian development, but also to successfully integrate into the global international system. Today Kazakhstan plays an important role in the global community through its various international initiatives, constantly providing a platform for different forums, conferences and negotiations on the most relevant topics.
Among the many different factors, which defined our “identity” in the international arena has been the promotion of international initiatives for the global anti-nuclear movement. In 1991 by the first decree of N. Nazarbayev at his presidential post, we closed the infamous Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site and renounced from the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal. Having experienced the negative impact of nuclear weapons testing, Kazakhstan had not only been one of the states that supported the conclusion of the Treaty banning nuclear weapons, but also actively participated in its development. One of the outcomes of our work in this field was the unanimous adoption, in December 2009, of a UN General Assembly resolution declaring 29th of August the International Day against Nuclear Tests. Moreover, the adoption of the Universal Declaration on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World by the UN General Assembly on December 23, 2015, on the initiative of Kazakhstan was also an important step towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.
However, all achievements on the international track would be impossible and insignificant without the development of the economic well-being of the country and its people. Having this in mind, we have done extensive work on the development of our economy, expansion of international trade, and attraction of investments, which is still in constant progress. As a result, over the years of independence, Kazakhstan's GDP has exceeded 180 bln US dollars. In 30 years, it has increased 16 times. Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia, accounting for more than half of the region's GDP. Our country is considered to have the best investment climate in the region, ranking 25th according to the World Bank Group's Doing Business Report (2019).
Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has attracted more than 370 bln US dollars in foreign direct investment. The work of the Astana International Financial Centre is intended to be a major help in this endeavor. This body has a special legal status according to which the relations of its participants with the state as well as with each other are regulated on the basis of the system of English law within a specialized court presided over by English judges with extensive experience of judicial work within common law system.
Over the past 30 years, Kazakhstan has established diplomatic relations with 186 countries and transformed into one of the dynamically developing economies of Eurasia and a reputable diplomatic voice on the world stage. In cooperation with our international partners, we seek to create a friendly, predictable and pragmatic relations of a mutually beneficial nature. This fully applies to our relations with the Hellenic Republic.
Kazakhstan and Greece share many common approaches to cooperation with international partners. The bilateral political relations between our states are characterized by the absence of contradictions on the most pressing international issues.
Since assuming the office of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev having indicated the continuity of his policy with the existing course of socio-political and economic development of the country has announced extensive reform packages designed to further improve the welfare of our citizens and strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the international arena. The reforms include the measures for transition to carbon neutrality by 2060, further improvement of the institution of human rights protection, activization of work on ensuring gender equality and support for the economic and political positions of women in society, digitalization of all public services provided to citizens, strengthening of the institution of the parliamentary opposition, promotion of social unity and solidarity. Carefully studying the work of the Greek authorities, I am pleased to see that our countries are pursuing many similar national development priorities and goals.
As an Embassy, we intend to bring our peoples and governments closer together, as there are no obstacles to enhancing such ties. Even geographically our countries are situated not as far as one could imagine. For instance, a direct flight from Thessaloniki to the Western cities of Kazakhstan like Aktau or Atyrau through the Black and Caspian Seas would take just 2 hours and 40 minutes. For reference, it would take the same time to fly through Kazakhstan from West to East.
Next year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Greece. We are looking forward to organizing many events and intensifying our work in order to facilitate cooperation. We have concrete plans and projects in a wide range of spheres, which include education, culture, sports, tourism, public diplomacy.
Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural state, where more than a hundred different nations and ethnic groups live in peace and harmony. The Greek diaspora numbered near 10 thousand people is a very important part of Kazakhstan’s society. On the other hand, in Athens and Northern Greece live up to 100 thousand Greeks, who returned from Kazakhstan to their historical homeland.
Our Embassy receives a very positive response from the Greek community, which greatly helps us in facilitating the Kazakhstan-Greece relationship. Such an attitude can also be witnessed in the way our former compatriots integrated into the Greek society and have been making their contribution to the development of the Hellenic Republic.
In conclusion, as a newly appointed Ambassador, I would like to assure you that I will put every effort in order to strengthen friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Greece for the sake of prosperity and well-being of our people.
Article by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Hellenic Republic
H.E. Yerlan BAUDARBEK-KOZHATAYEV