Foreign Policy of Kazakhstan: Analysis of Multi-Vector Foreign Policy

Abstract

The tensions between Russia and West increased after Syrian and Ukrainian crises. It is difficult to keep balance between world powers in times of such high tensions between them. Thus, after the Ukraine Crisis the concerns appeared about the multivector foreign policy of Kazakhstan. The concerns increased after the Kazakhstan’s decision to abstain in United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding to Syria and Ukraine. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the multi-vector foreign policy of Republic of Kazakhstan and to see whether there is a change or not. To do so, the Thesis analyzes the annual addresses of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to its nation from between 1997 and 2018. Moreover, the Thesis also explores the important documents in foreign policy of country which were adopted since independence. Using content analysis methodology, the Thesis argues that Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy continues to exist with prioritization of regional actors.