The British think tank “Henry Jackson Society” presented a research report titled “Understanding Kazakhstan’s Strategic Importance: A Middle Power Partner for the UK in Central Asia” in the UK Parliament.
The event featured speeches by the principal Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nusrat Ghani MP, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom Magzhan Ilyassov, the Henry Jackson Society’s associate research fellow and the author of the report Darren Spinck, Director for Eurasia Infrastructure at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Ekaterina Miroshnik, and business analyst at the UK Critical Minerals Association Enzo Satkuru-Granzella, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.
The event was attended by the members of both houses of the British Parliament, business representatives of diplomatic community, media and think tank experts.
Presenting the report, Darren Spinck emphasized that its main goal was to review Kazakhstan’s evolving role on the international stage as a middle power, along with its progress in political reforms and sustainable economic development. The research on the report also focused on the potential for strengthening mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation between the UK and Kazakhstan, particularly in the areas of critical minerals and transit-transport routes. The author also offered recommendations to the British Government and Parliament in order to enhance partnership between London and Astana.
During the welcoming remarks, the principal Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nusrat Ghani MP highly evaluated the bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UK. She mentioned her direct involvement in strengthening British-Kazakh relations during her tenure as the Business and Trade Minister (2022-2024) and Minister of State at Foreign Office (2024). She expressed confidence that the report would serve as a valuable resource for the members of UK Parliament in understanding Kazakhstan’s significance as an international player and as a London’s key partner in Central Asia. Madam Deputy Speaker also expressed her readiness to endorse inter-parliamentary ties between the two nations.
Kazakh Ambassador to the UK Magzhan Ilyassov welcomed the timely publication of the report on Kazakhstan and underscored the significance of its presentation in the UK Parliament. In his remarks, he highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing role on the international stage as a middle power. The Ambassador emphasized that Kazakhstan’s balanced, constructive, and multi-vector foreign policy is directed on protecting national interests and promoting global security and dialogue. He also provided insights into Kazakhstan’s international initiatives on nuclear non-proliferation, proposals to create the International Agency for Biological Safety (IABS), and establish the UN Regional Hub for SDGs in Central Asia and Afghanistan.
EBRD’s Director for Eurasian Infrastructure Ekaterina Miroshnik informed about the role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR or Middle Corridor), which passes through Kazakhstan, connecting China with Europe. She also highlighted EBRD’s active involvement in projects related to the Middle Corridor, which assists to strength trade ties between Europe, Central Asia, and China.
UK Critical Minerals Association’s business analyst Enzo Satkuru-Granzella pointed out Kazakhstan’s potential in contributing to the global critical minerals supply chain. He noted that Kazakhstan has a unique resource base, necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce. The expert added that the Roadmap on critical minerals signed between Kazakhstan and the UK in March 2024 in London lays a solid foundation for long-term mutually beneficial partnership.
In conclusion, the participants acknowledged Kazakhstan’s increasing geostrategic role as a middle power and discussed new ways to strengthen the partnership between Kazakhstan and the UK.
