Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the RK Yerkin Tukumov held a meeting with Director of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy Michael Zinkanell. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Astana International Forum.
Speaking about Kazakhstan’s strategic prospects for the next 5 years, Director of the KazISS noted that balanced relations in all spheres of foreign policy are of paramount importance. The diversification of transport and logistics routes is also becoming increasingly important. And the national priority of Kazakhstan now is to maintain a balance between various geopolitical forces: “I believe that we should not interrupt our ties with external partners. The neighborhood with China, Russia, the countries of Central Asia and the Caspian region is of particular importance to us. In addition, maintaining stability in the Central Asian region is a priority of our country’s foreign policy,” the head of the KazISS summed up.
At the same time, the parties also discussed the potential of relations between Kazakhstan and the EU, noting the 6.5-fold increase in exports of Kazakh goods to the European Union.
At the end of the meeting, the interlocutors talked about priority areas in the development of relations between Kazakhstan and Austria. In addition, the parties agreed to establish contacts in terms of research and exchange of experience.
