Integration of the Turkic world as an important part of the multipolar system may be seen both multilaterally and bilaterally. A good example of this is the current state of relations between Türkiye and Kazakhstan.

Role of Kazakhstan in Türkiye’s eastern diplomacy

Kazakhstan is the largest Turkic state in the post-Soviet space in terms of area (2,724,900km2). It is immensely wealthy in resources (first and foremost uranium, oil, gas, coal, non-ferrous metals) and has a Caspian coast. The country’s Turkic-speaking population, the majority of which adheres to Sunni Islam, make for natural cultural ties with Türkiye. Finally, Kazakhstan’s geographical placement in the center of Eurasia, acting like a ‘gate’ to enter the historical West Turkestan, presents great interest to Türkiye.

Since the early 1990s, Kazakhstan has pursued a balanced foreign policy, maintaining a strategic alliance with Russia and simultaneously developing strategic partnerships with China and Türkiye. The first president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, welcomed the broad ethno-cultural and economic integration with Türkiye, expanding the scope of diverse interstate relations with Ankara (including in the spheres of education, culture, religion, and economics). At the same time, as the strategic energy projects of neighboring Azerbaijan were being implemented, ensuring the export of Azerbaijani oil and gas via Türkiye to Europe (bypassing Russia), Astana became more attentive to the partnership with Ankara.

It should be noted that Kazakhstan’s balanced diplomacy was also developed under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. For example, the Astana format on the settlement of the........

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