NATO and Kazakhstan actively cooperate on democratic, institutional, and defence reforms, and have developed practical cooperation in many other areas. The Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) lays out the overall programme of cooperation between Kazakhstan and NATO. The defence-related fields of cooperation are supported by the Planning and Review Process (PARP).
Framework for cooperation
Dialogue takes place within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC). The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Ambassador Robert F. Simmons, conducts high-level political dialogue with Kazakh authorities through regular visits to the country. The NATO Liaison Officer in Central Asia also visits Astana regularly and reviews cooperation with the government.
NATO and Kazakhstan are developing practical cooperation in a number of areas through the country’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). Kazakhstan sets out its reform plans and timelines in its IPAP, which is agreed for a two-year period.
Kazakhstan has completed the first cycle of the IPAP (2006-2008) and continues to implement the second cycle. The IPAP covers key areas to include political, military and security-sector reforms. NATO agrees to support Kazakhstan in achieving these reforms through providing focused, country-specific advice and assistance.
Kazakhstan also cooperates with NATO and other Partner countries in a wide range of other areas through the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.
Kazakhstan tailors its participation in the PfP programme through an annual Individual Partnership Programme, selecting those activities that will help achieve the goals it has set in the IPAP.
Key areas of cooperation
Security cooperation
Kazakhstan has allocated an airborne assault battalion as a peacekeeping battalion for potential deployment in NATO-led peace support operations, under UN Security Council mandates. Elements of the Peacekeeping battalion have joined NATO Allies in a number of live exercises. In the framework of PARP, one of the major projects is the expansion of this force into a brigade structure (KAZBRIG), giving Kazakhstan the capability to sustain a battalion size contribution through rotation.
Recently Kazakhstan, along with Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Belarus, completed an agreement with NATO allowing the transportation of non-lethal ISAF cargo to Afghanistan by rail. The first trial shipment was successfully completed in June 2010, and regular shipments are now ongoing.
Kazakhstan plays an active role in both hosting and participating in PfP training and exercises. In consultation with the Allies, Kazakhstan is working to establish a PfP regional training centre, and continues to work with Allies and regional partners in military and language training techniques.
Kazakhstan contributes to the fight against terrorism through its participation in the Partnership Action Plan on Terrorism (PAP-T). This includes sharing intelligence and analysis with NATO, enhancing national counter-terrorist capabilities and improving border security.
Kazakhstan, in cooperation with NATO Allies, hosted major military exercises, named “Steppe Eagle”, in 2006, 2007 and 2009. These contributed to strengthening the interoperability of KAZBRIG with Alliance forces.
Defence and security sector reform
NATO is supportive of the democratic and institutional reform process underway in Kazakhstan, which is outlined in its IPAP. Specifically in the area of defence and security sector reform, NATO and individual Allies have considerable expertise that Kazakhstan can draw upon.
In consultation with the Allies, Kazakhstan continues to lay the conceptual framework for defence and security sector reform and in advancing key reform projects within the Ministry of Defence. Kazakhstan’s subscription to the objectives of the Partnership Action Plan on Defence Institution Building initiative (PAP-DIB) is reinforcing these efforts. The programme aids in creating effective judicial oversight and appropriate command arrangements for Defence and security sector institutions.
Kazakhstan’s participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) since 2002 has helped develop the ability of its forces to work with NATO. Kazakhstan seeks to attain interoperability between elements of its armed forces and those of NATO Allies. The current emphasis is on its Air-Mobile Forces. Joint work continues on the further development of a peacekeeping battalion to work alongside NATO Allies.
Civil emergency planning
Kazakhstan is enhancing its national civil emergency and disaster-management capabilities in cooperation with NATO, and through participation in activities organised by the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC).
To further develop cooperation in this area, Kazakhstan appointed a representative to the EADRCC in 2008. In 2009, the country hosted the EADRCC “ZHETYSU” exercise near Almaty.
Science and environment
Under the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, Kazakhstan has received grant awards for over 20 cooperative projects for collaborate scientific and environmental projects. Projects include collaboration on studies into radiological risks in Central Asia, integrated water resources management and new technology exploration for seismic resistant construction.
Kazakhstan also participates in the Virtual Silk Highway project, which aims to improve internet access for academics and research communities in the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia through a satellite-based network. At present, numerous institutions in Almaty use the network. Preparations are underway to expand connectivity to a number of other cities across the country.
In May 2010, scientists and engineers from Kazakhstan, as well as other countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, took part in a NATO science programme designed to train participants in securing cyber networks. The primary goal of the training was to strengthen the cyber networks of the educational and scientific communities in the CIS region.
Public information
Increasing the public awareness of NATO and the benefits of its relations with Kazakhstan is also an important area of cooperation. A joint NATO-Kazakhstan workshop was conducted to contribute to training the Kazakh press and public information officials in 2007. The NATO Information Center at the Al Farabi University in Almaty, which opened in 2007, hosts a number of NATO-themed events and visits from NATO representatives annually. In addition, a NATO Depository Library was inaugurated in Astana in 2008. Joint work on establishing a wider public information strategy is ongoing.
Evolution of relations
NATO-Kazakhstan relations began in 1992, when Kazakhstan joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997). Cooperation increased and Kazakhstan joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) in 1995. In 2002, Kazakhstan joined the PfP PARP. The focus on supporting Kazakhstan’s domestic reform processes has intensified since the development of Kazakhstan’s first IPAP in 2005.
Key milestones
1992 Kazakhstan joins the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997.
1995 Kazakhstan officially joins the Partnership for Peace (PfP).
1997 Kazakhstan holds first annual joint peacekeeping exercise (“Steppe Eagle “) with NATO countries, aimed at improving the readiness of Kazakh peacekeeping units to take part in NATO-led operations.
2002 Kazakhstan is connected to the Virtual Silk Highway.
Kazakhstan joins the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP).
2004 At the Istanbul Summit, Allied leaders place special focus on Central Asia – a special NATO representative and a liaison officer are assigned to the region.
2005 Kazakhstan delivers its IPAP presentation document to NATO
2006 Kazakhstan and NATO agree on Kazakhstan’s first IPAP, covering the 2006-2008 period, and on its current set of 2006 Partnership Goals in the PARP.
2007 The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, visits NATO HQ
The 2007 PARP Assessment documents the state of implementation of Partnership Goals.
The NATO Science Partnership Prize for 2007 is awarded to two scientists from Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom for excellent collaboration on assessing radioactive contamination at the nuclear test site at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, which was operated by the former Soviet Union.
The NATO Information Center opens at the Al Farabi University.
2008 NATO depository library is inaugurated at the National Library.
Kazakh Defence Minister, Danial Akhmetov, visits NATO Headquarters and briefs the North Atlanic Council on the IPAP results for the period of 2006-2008.
2009 NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, visits Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan hosts Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Security Forum in Astana.
Kazakhstan hosts NATO disaster response exercise ZHETYSU 2009.
2010 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kanat Saudabayev, visits NATO.
NATO completes the arrangements with several countries, including Kazakhstan, for the transit of non-lethal ISAF cargo to Afghanistan by rail.
The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, visits NATO.
NATO
30.11.2011
