ISLAMABAD: The biggest economy in Central Asia and the largest land locked country in the World , that eliminated all Nuclear arsenal on its territories after independence from USSR is now considering use of Nuclear for energy security of the country.
President of Republic of Kazakhstan has expressed his vision and thoughts on Nuclear Power Plants and Foreign Policy of the state in an interview to Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper conducted by Director General of LLP Qazaq gazetteri Dikhan Kamzabekuly, shedding light on the issues related to domestic and foreign policy, socioeconomic development of the country, the tragic January events, domestic violence, construction of a nuclear power plant and other pressing topics, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The critical situation with heat supply raises concerns about the state of the country’s energy security. In his speech, President said that the issue of building a nuclear power station in the country would be put to a national referendum. Despite the nuclear power plant (NPP) being part of ‘green’ generation technologies, society holds no clear consensus on its construction. Additionally, the NPP plans carry significant geopolitical implications.
President Tokayev responded to this question as, “Clean nuclear power is very important for Kazakhstan. It is a fundamental issue for the future of our economy. We are the world’s leading producer of natural uranium and have our own production of nuclear fuel components. That is why I pay special attention to the issue of building nuclear power plants in our country. After all, the issue of energy security should be resolved based on real needs, possibilities, and scientific research, not on geopolitical considerations.”
He said, “Some citizens are critical of the construction of the nuclear power plant. This is understandable, as many still remember the tragic consequences of the tests at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. There are also other complicated issues that should be considered, such as project costs and environmental aspects.”
“Consequently, recognizing the importance of the issue, I have proposed putting the question of constructing the NPP to a national referendum. My 2019 election platform stated that decisions on the most crucial issues would be made through referendums. This is the practical implementation of the concept of a “Listening State” and the principles of Fair Kazakhstan, President shared.
We are about to have wide public hearings. Citizens should consider and discuss all expert arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’ to make a balanced, well-considered decision of their own free will. This will be the people’s decision.
President also responded to another question that last year was marked by significant foreign policy events.President engaged in numerous impactful discussions with world leaders. The regional format, C5+, has gained considerable importance, largely attributed to his authority in world diplomacy. Looking ahead, what significant foreign policy events can Kazakhstan anticipate in the near future?
Mr. Tokayev said, “In pursuing a well-balanced and pragmatic foreign policy, Kazakhstan is committed to protecting its national interests and addressing strategic challenges. Our priorities, which remain unchanged, include ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, safeguarding the rights and interests of Kazakhstan’s citizens, and creating favorable external conditions for sustainable economic growth. As a Foreign Minister for over a decade, I have been closely involved in shaping these priorities.”
He said, “Given the current complex geopolitical landscape, it is crucial for Kazakhstan to foster mutually beneficial and pragmatic cooperation with all foreign partners, especially neighboring countries.”
President added, “You rightly acknowledge the timeliness of the C5+ format, as Central Asia is a dynamically developing region with its own perspective on geopolitical realities and abundant opportunities in trade, investment, business, and innovation. Consequently, interest in Central Asia is growing significantly worldwide, leading to an increased demand for the C5+ dialogue platform.”
The Kazakh leader noted, “Without regular and trust-based dialogue at the highest level, the active development of relations between regional countries and influential external players would be impossible. In this regard, significant progress has been made in recent years. The annual Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia have proven to be fruitful. It is noteworthy that Kazakhstan will host the next Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia this year.”
President said , “As previously mentioned, Kazakhstan is set to assume the chairmanship of several influential regional and international organizations and associations in 2024.In June, the Astana International Forum will bring together heads of State and global companies. This platform will facilitate discussions on global issues such as climate change, food shortages, and energy security.”
“The agreement between Kazakhstan and France to hold a One Water Summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level session, aimed at contributing to the global climate agenda, is of great significance, Mr. Tokayev concluded.
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