DNA
➢ Relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan: expectations versus reality, and prospects for trade and investment cooperation.
➢ What is the main direction of cooperation between our countries?
Kazakhstan regards Pakistan as a friendly country and strategic partner, which earned respect in the international community. From the very beginning of establishing of diplomatic relations in 1992, we have been working together on many issues and projects of common interest.
Our countries maintain close and fruitful interaction within the important international organizations including the SCO, OIC, CICA and others. Thus, we interact in promoting and strengthening global peace and stability as well as sustainable development.
My first state visit to Pakistan was aimed at expanding the horizons of our partnership and opening a new chapter in the history of our relations. Our governments and businesses signed more than 60 bilateral documents that will give powerful impetus to bilateral cooperation.
Priority areas of economic cooperation include transport and logistics, agriculture, industry and manufacturing, healthcare, education, and many other sectors.
I see substantial opportunities for companies from our two countries to establish joint ventures and implement beneficial projects.
One of our key priorities is to scale up trade. Therefore, we have set an ambitious goal of significantly increasing our bilateral trade.
The connectivity has become a top issue of our joint agenda.
In this context, Kazakhstan is ready to get involved in building Kazakhstan – Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan corridor, which we regard as strategically important for regional connectivity and access to South Asian markets.
I am delighted to note that Pakistan is also very positive to having close coordination with us in this strategically important project.
We count on active and coordinated participation of all
stake-holders to ensure the successful implementation of
transit-transport projects.
➢ Nowadays all politicians follow the developments in the United States. How do you assess the current situation in US, particularly President Donald Trump’s domestic policies?
President Trump as a strong and forward-looking leader puts first the national interests of his country. This is clearly reflected in the strong economic performance of the U.S. economy, as well as in the transformative reforms currently underway, particularly in the social sphere.
I am a committed supporter of his common sense policy. President Trump wants to restore the order based on supremacy of law. Likewise, in Kazakhstan I also pursue the Law and Order policy to make my country stronger in this tumultuous world.
From my point of view all citizens must comply with law enforcement agency’s service and demands and respect officers, making no obstructions and impediments.
➢ Why did Kazakhstan decide to join the Abraham Accords?
Kazakhstan has always been, and remains, firmly committed to the principles of peace, stability, and international dialogue.
The Abraham Accords, initiated by President Trump, represent a truly forward-looking initiative.
By joining this framework, we reaffirm our commitment to diplomacy as the most reasonable instrument of resolving differences and fostering long-term regional and global stability.
For Kazakhstan, a country that maintains excellent relations with Israel, this step is fully in line with our strategic vision. At the same time, we consistently support the Palestinian people and advocate a two-state solution.
From the standpoint of national interests, joining the Abraham Accords lays a solid foundation for attracting investment, advanced technologies, and other tangible economic benefits.
I hope that Kazakhstan’s accession to Abraham Accords would contribute to widening the existing Arab-Jewish rapprochement into a broader Muslim-Judaic dialogue.
➢ Together with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, you signed in Davos the founding agreement of the Board of Peace initiated by President Trump. Most European countries, with the exception of Hungary, declined to join. Some view the Board of Peace as an attempt to create an alternative to the United Nations. What is your assessment?
The Board of Peace is a very timely and relevant initiative, designed to deliver swift and effective results. President Trump himself emphasized during the signing ceremony of the Charter that the Board of Peace is intended to complement, rather than replace, the efforts of the United Nations, which is unfortunately experiencing a period of institutional strain.
It is particularly significant that this initiative implements the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, which recognizes that peace must be anchored in both international legitimacy and effective leadership.
I am confident that the Board of Peace will make a meaningful contribution to strengthening global peace and stability by offering flexible and pragmatic mechanisms for conflict resolution.
➢ Do you believe that the long-term and sustainable peace plan for Gaza has a future?
The plan presented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner seemed to be very interesting and well-structured. It is an ambitious, yet in my view, a realistic initiative. In certain aspects, it looks like a development project aimed at creating sustainable foundations for peace and prosperity.
At the same time, without genuine political will to move forward toward a two-state solution, no plan can be truly sustainable. This remains the only viable framework for breaking the recurring cycle of violence and instability.
➢ The war between Russia and Ukraine has become protracted. Even President Trump has acknowledged that the settlement has proven more complex than expected. Do you see yourself as a potential mediator?
The situation is indeed extremely complex, and we understand that the core issue remains territorial in nature. Kazakhstan has been consistently advocating for an exclusively political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. In our view, in this extremely complex situation the path to peace lies through negotiations between the opposing sides.
In this regard, we highly commend the ongoing negation process.
As for mediation, as I have already said before, I have no plans to get engaged in these efforts. While not seeking any mediating role, Kazakhstan is ready to offer its good offices, including by providing a neutral platform for any negotiations, should such an opportunity arise.
➢ As an experienced diplomat, do you consider a military seizure of Greenland possible? President Trump appears determined on this issue. What scenario would you consider realistic?
I would approach this question somewhat differently. There are many comparable cases in international practice where countries enter into long-term lease arrangements concerning specific territories or strategic infrastructure. Such arrangements are often pursued for shared and mutually beneficial objectives.
To be brief, I am confident that any decisions of this nature must be considered within the framework of international law. This includes respect for state sovereignty and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as other relevant international legal norms.
I would suggest the United States and Denmark to consider an option of making a deal on leasing Greenland for 120 years term. In this case Greenland juridically may continuously be part of Denmark’s territory and therefore it’s sovereign right will not be broken.
Meanwhile, Greenland will be acting under US jurisdiction and as a matter of fact will be accepted by the international community as part of United States.
I hope that through dialogue, responsible statecraft, and adherence to international law, the parties will ultimately find a mutually acceptable and pragmatic agreement.
➢ Kazakhstan is currently discussing numerous constitutional amendments. What is the essence of these changes?
Our country undergoes the most significant process of political transformation, ushered in change at every level of our society, ensuring that the results of our progress are shared fairly.
We have taken nation-building efforts to get modernized Kazakhstan and to make sure our country will definitely become Just and Fair.
Kazakhstan moved away from a “super-presidential” system towards a presidential republic with consolidated system of checks and balances – based on the concept of a “Strong President – Influential Parliament and Accountable Government.”
We are now moving to absolutely new phase of political modernization. On January 31, the new draft Constitution of Kazakhstan was introduced.
Major changes: Single-Chamber Parliament – the Kurultai, the establishment of the Khalyk Kenesі (the National Council), and the introduction of the position of Vice President. Together, these measures will further strengthen institutional capacity of our state.
Human rights and freedoms are proclaimed as the nation’s highest priority.
Values such as unity and solidarity, interethnic and interfaith harmony will be designated as the foundation of our statehood.
The new draft of the Constitution also enshrines principles of justice, law and order, and respect for nature – which have become an integral part of our national policy in recent years.
I am confident that these far-reaching endeavours will further strengthen the institutional capacity and long-term resilience of our state.
➢ What development path has Kazakhstan chosen?
We seek to build a Just, Safe, Clean, and Progressive Kazakhstan, where the principles of Law and Order prevail, and where unity and harmony among our people are preserved and continuously strengthened.
Today Kazakhstan remains the largest economy in Central Asia. Last year, we recorded growth of 6,5 percent, with GDP exceeding 300 billion US dollars. GDP per capita surpassed
15,000 US dollars – an all-time high not only for our country, but for the entire region and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Our investment policy is firmly focused on maintaining a stable, transparent and predictable business environment, ensuring that Kazakhstan continues to offer the most attractive investment climate in Central Asia.
At the same time, we have set a strategic objective to transform Kazakhstan into a fully digital state within the coming years, actively harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
We also aim to position Kazakhstan as a key transit hub across Eurasia, leveraging our strategic geographical position.
Moreover, we have launched a large-scale modernization of our energy sector, with major projects being implemented in close partnership with foreign investors.
Taken together, this reflects our chosen development path: building a diversified, technology-driven and open economy that is competitive globally, sustainable in the long-term, and firmly focused on improving the quality of life of our people.
