Relations with the US, Russia and China: Tokayev outlines Kazakhstan’s position

Tengrinews.kz – President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is on an official visit to Japan, delivered a lecture at the United Nations University, outlining Kazakhstan’s approach to relations with major global powers.

Speaking on the topic “Restoring strategic trust in an era of turbulence: how Kazakhstan sees a more just and stable world,” the President said that Kazakhstan is developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with its closest neighbors.

Tokayev stressed that Kazakhstan enjoys broad recognition as an authoritative and reliable partner on the international stage.

“Kazakhstan is developing comprehensive strategic partnerships with its closest neighbors — Russia, China and the countries of Central Asia. We view this neighborhood as a strategic advantage that enables Kazakhstan to promote trust and interconnectedness across Eurasia. We are also expanding long-term engagement with the United States and the European Union, strengthening our contacts in the Middle East, Asia and the Global South. Japan holds enormous significance for Kazakhstan, and we will continue to strive to deepen our friendship and cooperation to unlock new opportunities in trade and investment ties. This balanced and impartial approach strengthens Kazakhstan’s constructive diplomacy in an increasingly geopolitically fragmented world,” Tokayev said.

A special place in the lecture was devoted to issues related to the growing nuclear threat.

Tokayev noted that few countries understand the cost humanity has paid for nuclear weapons as deeply as Kazakhstan and Japan.

Earlier, Tokayev’s first official visit to Japan began with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito. The President emphasized that the Land of the Rising Sun has for many years inspired the people of Kazakhstan with its discipline and resilience.

Emperor Naruhito expressed confidence that Tokayev’s visit would become a significant milestone in the history of relations between Japan and Kazakhstan and would take them to a qualitatively new level.

On December 18, ahead of meetings with Japanese parliamentarians, Tokayev also met in Tokyo with Kazakhstanis working in Japan, stressing the importance of learning from the experience of highly developed countries such as Japan.

Pauses and gestures: How Tokayev surprised Japan’s Prime Minister