As part of a scientific project, professors from the Department of International Relations visited Madrid
In the period from March 19-23, 2024, Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations Nurdavletova S.M., acting Associate Professor Dalelkhan A. and Senior Lecturer Chaukerova A.N. visited the city of Madrid (Spain) as part of the project “AR14870606 Study of the foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of changing geopolitical conditions.” During the visit, the professors met with scientists from Spain researching the Central Asian region and also gave a lecture to Spanish students in English.
Our scientists provided students of the International Relations educational program at the University of San Pablo with a comprehensive report on the domestic and foreign policies of the countries of Central Asia, as well as the current state and new opportunities in the relationship between Central Asia and the European Union. The students showed great interest during the lecture and asked many leading questions at the end. Among the issues of interest, students’ interest in current political and economic reforms in Central Asia and the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine on the Central Asian region can be highlighted to a greater extent. Kazakh scientists said that currently not only the countries of Central Asia, but the whole world as a whole are facing new challenges. Scientists also emphasized the new opportunities that are opening up due to these challenges, and the countries of Central Asia together with the European Union can achieve great success within the framework of the new strategy.
At the same time, our scientists visited the Spanish Senate and exchanged views with representatives of the Senate on the possibilities of developing relations between Central Asia and the European Union within the framework of the new Kazakh-Spanish and EU strategy.
On the next day of the visit, university teachers took part in a round table on the topic “EU-Central Asia Relations: Opportunities and Challenges.” The organizers of this round table were L.N. Gumilyov ENU, University of San Pablo (Madrid, Spain), CASA ASIA Center (Madrid), and the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Spain. Professor of the University of San Pablo Antonio Alonso acted as a moderator of the round table and gave the first word to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Spain Danat Musaev. In his speech, the ambassador covered in detail the basic principles of the foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan spoke about the current situation in the international arena, and also dwelled in detail on the prospects for the development of relations between Kazakhstan and Spain. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Emilio de Miguel, Director of the Casa Asia Center in Madrid, spoke about the current state of political, economic, and humanitarian relations between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia, and also noted opportunities for future development.
In his report, Ph.D., acting Associate Professor of L.N. Gumilyov ENU Dalelkhan Aibolat analyzed the problems and new opportunities for Central Asia in the context of modern global geopolitical realities. In addition, taking into account the multi-vector foreign policy position of Kazakhstan, he noted that other Central Asian states also understand the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy concept. The growing relevance of the C5+1 format in recent years proves that the world community recognizes Central Asia as a single geopolitical region and is building consistent political and economic relations with the countries of the region. Aibolat Dalelkhan also made a broad presentation on relations between Central Asia and the People's Republic of China.
In turn, Associate Professor Nurdavletova S.M. highlighted the key features of the new EU strategy for Central Asia, adopted in 2019. Analyzing the role of the first EU strategy for Central Asia in 2007 in the development of bilateral relations, which was criticized by European researchers, Sania Moryakovna focused on the conditions that will need to be taken into account to eliminate the gaps of the previous strategy so as not to repeat them in the new one.
Senior lecturer of the Department of International Relations A.N. Chaukerova made a report on the energy policy of Central Asian countries. Analyzing the energy capabilities of the countries in the region, she focused on the issue of creating a common energy complex, which is now being implemented in Central Asia. In addition, assessing the EU policy to strengthen relations with Central Asian countries in the supply of rare metals, Anara Nagimetovna noted that Kazakhstan has great opportunities in this direction. To improve bilateral relations, the importance of developing the Trans-Caspian transport corridor was also emphasized.
Since the visit coincided with the celebration of Nauryz, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Spain, together with scientists from our university, prepared a festive table for the round table participants. The guests enjoyed Kazakh national dishes and listened to Kazakh national music performed on the dombra.