The Perception of Turkic Integration by the Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan

Abstract

This thesis presents perception of Turkic Integration by the representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the current stage and its correlation with Kazakhstan’s decision and activities held towards Turkic Integration. The thesis conceptually assumes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan is the main body of building foreign policy of the country and it is important that this study researches the overall perception of Turkic Integration among the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. The study applies a cognitive dimension theoretical framework in order to provide the understanding of perception of governmental officials by using the qualitative method of in-depth interviews with the representatives of the MFA of Kazakhstan and later conducting the analysis of the results of interviews. The findings of this reflective and interpretive process are enhanced by using historical approach where the researcher used data based on the academic works of other authors, academic journals, and organization reports and independently analyzed primary data such as speeches of the politicians, the presidents and the texts of the law as the Concept of foreign policy of Kazakhstan. Therefore the set objective of the work was to produce information on the perception of government officials, which was mainly positive as well as their assumptions about such events as the establishments of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking countries, the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States and International Turkic Academy and study shed light on Kazakhstan’s policy and strategy towards Turkic Integration that was found as an effective alternative in the existing multi-vector foreign policy that needs special further research .