On December 21 in Astana, the EU and Kazakhstan are slated to sign an enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This development of closer EU-Kazakhstan relations, in a year when Kazakhstan also joined the WTO, takes place as Kazakhstan's economic and security situation is at a crossroads. Kazakhstan's region harbors considerable uncertainty, while falling commodity prices have forced the government to adjust its priorities, and spurred fundamental economic reform. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is planning to host the Expo 2017 in Astana, and is promoting a bid for the 2017 UN Security Council.

Conference program:

13.00 - 13.30 Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Dr. Svante Cornell, Director, Institute for Security and Development Policy (click for video)

H.E. Dr. Dastan Yeleukenov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan (click for video)

H.E. Mr. Stefan Gullgren, Head of the Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (click for video)

13.30-15.15 Panel one: Kazakhstan and International Politics

Kazakhstan 2050: Vision for a New Century
Dr. Dauren Aben, Nazarbayev University (click for video)

Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Tariq Rauf, SIPRI 

Kazakhstan's Bid for the UNSC
Dr. Johan Engvall, Research Fellow at ISDP and the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (click for video)

Beyond Oil: Astana Expo 2017 and Green Energy
Dr. Nygmet Ibadildin, Associate Professor, KIMEP University (click for video)

15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break

15:45 – 17:30 Panel Two: Europe and Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan and Europe: Toward a New Partnership
Dr. Michael Emerson, Centre for European Policy Studies (click for video)

Relations with Europe in Kazakhstan's Foreign Policy
Dr. Askar Nursha, Project Coordinator, Institute of World Economy and Politics (click for video)

Kazakhstan: An Island of Stability in a Turbulent Region?
Mr. Vladimir Socor, Senior Fellow, Jamestown Foundation (click for video)

Advancing Continental Transport: the EU and Kazakhstan
Dr. Svante Cornell, Director, Institute for Security and Development Policy (click for video)

Location: 

Kazakhstan conducted snap elections for the presidency on 26 April, 2015, with President Nazarbayev winning by 97% of vote.  While critics question whether opposition candidates were given adequate time to mobilize their campaigns, defenders argue that this vote of confidence in the existing leadership of the country is reassuring to the country's international partners and investors at a moment of considerable stress throughout the region. Speakers will provide first-hand insights on the election and broader perspectives.