Editing Nursultan Nazarbayev (section)

===Foreign policy===
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in South Korea, March 2012-15.jpeg|thumb|Nazarbayev (center) at the [[2012 Nuclear Security Summit]] with [[Barack Obama]] (left) and [[Dmitry Medvedev]] (right)|left]]
During Nazarbayev's presidency the main principle of [[Foreign relations of Kazakhstan|Kazakhstan's international relations]] was multi-vector foreign policy, which was based on initiatives to establish friendly relations with foreign partners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nazarbayev's trust-based relations with foreign partners help promote Kazakhstan's interests|url=http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2921958|website=inform.kz|date=5 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706153505/http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2921958|archive-date=6 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://pemedianetwork.com/petroleum-economist/articles/trading-markets/2023/kazakhstan-is-key-to-the-middle-corridor/ | author = Victor Kotsev | title = Kazakhstan is key to the Middle Corridor | website = Petroleum Economist | date= 23 June 2023 | accessdate = 7 July 2023}}</ref> His government's policies were considered moderate by maintaining a balance between the world powers of [[United States]] and [[Russia]].

From 1990 to 1994, Nazarbayev paid official visits to the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[China]], [[Germany]], [[Russia]], [[Turkey]], [[Japan]] and other nations. By 1996, 120 nations had recognized Kazakhstan, and it had established diplomatic relations with 92 countries. The first major diplomatic initiatives by Nazarbayev were dealing with strategic issues, such as obtaining international security guarantees in the aftermath of [[nuclear disarmament]] as a result of pressure from Western nations.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Cohen|first=Ariel|url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/131571/kazakhstanindependence.pdf|title=Kazakhstan: The Road to Independence Energy Policy and the Birth of a Nation|publisher=Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program|year=2008|isbn=978-91-85937-36-3|location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref> Nazarbayev called on [[Russia]], the [[United States]], and [[China]] to conclude a [[non-aggression pact]] with Kazakhstan that would also guarantee the country's sovereignty. On 5 December 1994, Russia, U.S., and U.K. signed the [[Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances]] to Kazakhstan based on the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons|Non-Proliferation Treaty]] (NPT).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Memorandum on Security Assurances in Connection with the Republic of Kazakhstan's Accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons|url=https://untermportal.un.org/unterm/display/record/unhq/memorandum_on_security_assurances_in_connection_with_the_republic_of_kazakhstan/e3f3c6f0-504b-4935-b059-d91b1e462ae8|url-status=dead|access-date=5 June 2021|website=untermportal.un.org|archive-date=19 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819204128/https://untermportal.un.org/unterm/display/record/unhq/memorandum_on_security_assurances_in_connection_with_the_republic_of_kazakhstan/e3f3c6f0-504b-4935-b059-d91b1e462ae8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Columbus|first=Frank|title=Russia in Transition, Volume 2|publisher=Nova Science Publishers, Inc|year=2003|isbn=1-59033-760-3|location=New York|pages=122}}</ref> Later, the governments of China and France added their signatures to the Memorandum.<ref name=":5"/>

Kazakhstan under Nazarbayev became co-founders of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] in 2001.<ref>Gill (30 November 2001). "Shanghai Five: An Attempt to Counter U.S. Influence in Asia?". Brookings.</ref>[[File:2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony (2018-06-14) 31.jpg|thumb|Nazarbayev with [[Nikol Pashinyan]], [[Anna Hakobyan]], [[Igor Dodon]] and [[Dmitry Medvedev]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup]] in Russia, 2018]]

In January 2019, Zimbabwean President [[Emmerson Mnangagwa]] conducted a state visit to [[Astana]] to meet with Nazarbayev, in the first visit by an African leader to the country in years. This would be the last foreign head of state that Nazarbayev would receive while in office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/zimbabwe/mnangagwa-arrives-in-kazakhstan/|title=Mnangagwa arrives in Kazakhstan|date=19 January 2019|website=The Zimbabwe Mail|access-date=20 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320233530/https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/zimbabwe/mnangagwa-arrives-in-kazakhstan/|archive-date=20 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Nazarbayev's last state visit to a foreign country took place five days prior to his resignation, visiting the [[United Arab Emirates]] to meet Crown Prince [[Mohammed bin Zayed]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mohammad Bin Zayed receives President of Kazakhstan |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/mohammad-bin-zayed-receives-president-of-kazakhstan-1.1552510034946 |website=gulfnews.com |date=14 March 2019 |language=en |access-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331170047/https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/mohammad-bin-zayed-receives-president-of-kazakhstan-1.1552510034946 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== China ====
{{See also|China–Kazakhstan relations}}
Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and China were established in January 1992, with Chinese Premier [[Li Peng]] visiting the country in April 1994 where he met with Nazarbayev. From there, both nations signed boundary agreement on 26 April and then later during Peng's second visit to [[Almaty]], an additional agreement on the border between two countries was signed on 24 September 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Соглашение между Республикой Казахстан и Китайской Народной Республикой о казахстанско-китайской государственной границе (г. Алматы, 26 апреля 1994 года)|url=https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=1016993|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Информационная система ПАРАГРАФ|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=О ратификации Дополнительного Соглашения между Республикой Казахстан и Китайской Народной Республикой о казахстанско-китайской государственной границе – ИПС "Әділет"|url=https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z990000352_|access-date=7 June 2021|website=adilet.zan.kz|language=ru}}</ref>

In December 2002, during Nazarbayev's visit to China, an agreement "On good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and Kazakhstan" and "On cooperation between the two countries to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism" were signed.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 August 2007|title=Справка: хроника важных событий в отношениях между Китаем и Казахстаном|url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceka/rus/zhgx/t353068.htm|access-date=7 June 2021|website=fmprc.gov.cn|language=ru}}</ref>

In May 2004, a total of ten trade and economic cooperation agreements were signed which included a major [[Kazakhstan–China oil pipeline|Atasu-Alashankou oil pipeline]] that would connect western Kazakhstan and China with John C. K. Daly from the Jamestown Foundation describing it as "a symbolic link between two of the 21st century's rising powers, joining a booming producer with a cash-flush consumer." A construction of the expansion project was fully completed in 2009.

====Iran====
{{See also|Kazakhstan–Iran relations}}
In a speech given in December 2006 marking the fifteenth anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence, Nazarbayev stated he wished to join with Iran in support of a single currency for all Central Asian states and intended to push the idea forward with the President of Iran, [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], on an upcoming visit. In one of his speeches however, Nazarbayev criticised Iran as one of the countries that provides support for terrorism. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry however, released a statement on 19 December, saying his remarks were not "what he really meant," and his comments were "mistakes."<ref name="IRAN">{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan dismisses alleged anti-Iran comments from president|url=http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-20/0612194917171736.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308054557/http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-20/0612194917171736.htm|archive-date=8 March 2008|access-date=3 January 2007}}. Retrieved 3 February 2011.</ref>

During an announcement of a railway link in 2007, Nazarbayev expressed a religious solidarity with Iran, as he was quoted as saying, "Today I will pay a visit to Turkmenistan where we will agree on the construction of a railway through Kazakhstan and [[Turkmenistan]] to Iran with access to the [[Persian Gulf]]. This will bring us closer to our [[Muslim]] brothers."<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 September 2007|title=EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight – Construction Of Railway To Iran On Agenda Of Turkmenistan Visit Kazakh Leader|url=https://eurasianet.org/posts/091207ir.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203040941/https://eurasianet.org/posts/091207ir.shtml|archive-date=3 February 2009|access-date=5 June 2021|website=EurasiaNet}}</ref>

==== Israel ====
{{See also|Israel–Kazakhstan relations}}
Notwithstanding Kazakhstan's membership in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]]), under Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan had good relations with [[Israel]]. Diplomatic relations were established in 1992 and Nazarbayev paid official visits to Israel in 1995 and 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keinon |first=Herb|date=2 May 2019|title=Leaders of Kazakhstan, Democratic Republic of Congo keen on Israel trip|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/leaders-of-kazakhstan-democratic-republic-of-congo-keen-on-israel-trip-588397|access-date=5 June 2021|website=The Jerusalem Post|language=en-US}}</ref> Bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $724 million in 2005.

Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] conducted his first ever visit to Kazakhstan in mid-December 2016, when he met with Nazarbayev. The two countries signed agreements on research and development, aviation, civil service commissions and agricultural cooperation, as well as a declaration on establishing an agricultural consortium.<ref>{{cite web|title=PM Netanyahu meets with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev|url=http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2016/Pages/PM-Netanyahu-meets-with-Kazakhstan-President-Nursultan-Nazarbayev-14-December-2016.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230002401/http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2016/Pages/PM-Netanyahu-meets-with-Kazakhstan-President-Nursultan-Nazarbayev-14-December-2016.aspx|archive-date=30 December 2016|access-date=29 December 2016|publisher=mfa.gov.il}}</ref>

==== United States ====
{{See also|Kazakhstan–United States relations}}
[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev in Astana (22513577630).jpg|left|thumb|U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] and Nazarbayev in [[Ak Orda Presidential Palace|Aqorda]], 2 November 2015]]
Nazarbayev made his first state visit to the [[United States]] on 18–20 May 1992 where he met with U.S. President [[George H. W. Bush]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kazakhstan – Visits by Foreign Leaders – Department History – Office of the Historian|url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/visits/kazakhstan|access-date=7 June 2021|website=history.state.gov}}</ref> Both sides have expressed interests to develop friendly, cooperative relations and for both countries to strengthen international peace and stability with an early ratification of the [[START II]] treaty.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PPP-1992-book1/pdf/PPP-1992-book1-doc-pg792.pdf|title=Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)|publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office|pages=793}}</ref> In order to gain investments to Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev, during his visit, signed an agreement with [[Chevron Corporation]] which obliged to develop the [[Tengiz Field]] that would extract 700,000 barrels of oil per day with a revenue of more than $5 billion a year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Greenhouse|first=Steven|date=19 May 1992|title=Chevron to Spend $10 Billion to Seek Oil in Kazakhstan |language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/19/world/chevron-to-spend-10-billion-to-seek-oil-in-kazakhstan.html|access-date=7 June 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In September 2006, he met with President [[George W. Bush]] in the [[White House]] where Nazarbayev received praise from Bush for his support during the U.S. led [[Iraq War]] and Kazakhstan's role as an important oil supplier for the U.S. Nazarbayev proclaimed that "in economics, in energy partnership, in policy, in war on terror, we truly become close partners.", referring to U.S. support for Kazakhstan's independence. He also challenged for Bush and other world leaders to follow the country's suit and make their nations [[Nuclear-free zone|nuclear-free]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gedda|first=George|date=30 September 2006|title=Bush and Kazakh leader praise each other in Oval Office meeting|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/235910|url-status=dead|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Taiwan News|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607025019/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/235910}}</ref>

At the [[2012 Nuclear Security Summit]] held in [[Seoul]], Nazarbayev met with President [[Barack Obama]] who remarked Kazakhstan as being "key leader" on the issues of nuclear material elimination and developing international fuel bank.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 March 2012|title=Remarks by President Obama and President Nursultan Nazarbayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan Before Bilateral Meeting|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/26/remarks-president-obama-and-president-nursultan-nazarbayev-republic-kaza|access-date=7 June 2021|website=whitehouse.gov|language=en}}</ref> At the meeting, Nazarbayev, as a gift, gave Obama a ''tumar,'' a traditional Turkic amulet for "good luck" which was eventually used later to jokingly describe the sole reason for Obama's win in the [[2012 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 March 2012|title=Глава Казахстана подарил Президенту США тумар на удачу|url=https://www.inform.kz/ru/article/2450565|access-date=7 June 2021|website=inform.kz|language=ru}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first1=Deana |last1=Kjuka |first2=Galym|last2=Bokash|date=8 November 2012|title=Why Obama Won: An Amulet the President of Kazakhstan Gave Him|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/why-obama-won-an-amulet-the-president-of-kazakhstan-gave-him/264951/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Atlantic|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:President Donald Trump and Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev.jpg|thumb|Nazarbayev (left) with U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] at the [[Oval Office]], 16 January 2018]]
In September 2015, during the [[70th session of the UN General Assembly]], Nazarbayev met with Obama in [[New York City]] where both leaders discussed the issues regarding the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]] and the goals of finding peaceful solution based on the [[Minsk Protocol]], as well as nuclear disarmament, fighting extremism, the situation in Afghanistan and combatting [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Nurbekov|first=Altair|date=5 October 2015|title=Nazarbayev, Obama Reaffirm Strategic Partnership During New York Meeting|url=https://astanatimes.com/2015/10/nazarbayev-obama-reaffirm-strategic-partnership-during-new-york-meeting/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Astana Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last1=Orazgaliyeva |first1=Malika |last2=Nurbekov |first2=Altair |date=3 November 2015|title=In Astana, Kerry Promotes Stronger Ties in Economy, Security|url=https://astanatimes.com/2015/11/in-astana-kerry-promotes-stronger-ties-in-economy-security/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Astana Times}}</ref> Nazarbayev thanked the U.S. for its assistance in accessing Kazakhstan into the [[World Trade Organization]].<ref name=":6"/> Following months later, U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] visited Kazakhstan on 1–3 November 2015, where he offered support for Nazarbayev's 100 Concrete Steps programme.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2015|title=Secretary Kerry travels to Kazakhstan|url=https://kz.usembassy.gov/secretary-kerry-travels-to-kazakhstan/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Kazakhstan|language=en-US|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171232/https://kz.usembassy.gov/secretary-kerry-travels-to-kazakhstan/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":7"/>

U.S. President-elect [[Donald Trump]] lauded Nazabayev's leadership and called Kazakhstan's achievements under his presidency a "miracle" during their phone call on 30 November 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan: Trump talked up leader's 'miracle' in call|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/308251-trump-praises-kazakhstan-miracle-in-call-with-president/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119062402/http://thehill.com/policy/defense/308251-trump-praises-kazakhstan-miracle-in-call-with-president|archive-date=19 January 2017|access-date=20 December 2016|work=The Hill|date=December 2016}}</ref> Nazarbayev visited [[Washington, D.C.]] in January 2018 where he met Trump at the [[Oval Office]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=16 January 2018|title=Kazakhstan is a 'kleptocracy' ruled by an autocrat. It's also an increasingly important strategic ally|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/16/kazakhstan-is-a-kleptocracy-ruled-by-an-autocrat-its-also-an-increasingly-important-strategic-ally.html|access-date=7 June 2021|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> From there, Trump praised Kazakhstan as "a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons... and prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation" and noted the country's crucial support for U.S. forces in Afghanistan and preventing a safe haven for terrorists.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Partners for Prosperity|url=https://www.thebusinessyear.com/kazakhstan-2018/partners-for-prosperity/guest-speaker|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Business Year|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607051335/https://www.thebusinessyear.com/kazakhstan-2018/partners-for-prosperity/guest-speaker|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Turkey ====

Earliest official diplomatic contacts were established with Turkey as Kazakhstan was under the Soviet Union. In March 1991, Turkish President [[Turgut Özal]] paid a visit to capital [[Alma Ata|Alma-Ata]] where he met with Nazarbayev as both parties discussed issues related to the establishment and expansion of cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural spheres.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|last=Arystanbekova|first=Akmaral|date=13 March 2021|title=30 Years Ago, Turkish President Paid First Official Visit to Kazakhstan|url=https://astanatimes.com/2021/03/30-years-ago-turkish-president-paid-first-official-visit-to-kazakhstan/|access-date=23 February 2022|website=The Astana Times|language=en}}</ref> From there, Agreement on Cooperation between the Kazakh SSR and the Republic of Turkey was signed, making it the first international treaty for Kazakhstan.<ref name=":15"/> In September of that year, Nazarbayev visited [[Ankara]] where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed.<ref name=":15"/> 

Following Kazakhstan's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union on 16 December 1991, Turkey was among the first countries to recognize the new sovereign Kazakhstan.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|date=2 March 2020|title=ИНФОГРАФИКА – Турция и Казахстан: 28 лет дружбы|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/ru/политика/инфографика-турция-и-казахстан-28-лет-дружбы/1752057|access-date=23 February 2022|website=aa.com.tr|language=ru}}</ref> Nazarbayev paid his first official visit to Ankara in October 1992 to commensurate the opening of the Kazakh embassy in the capital.<ref name=":16"/> In spite of relations between two states taking off, Nazarbayev during the First Turkic Speaking States Summit held in [[Istanbul]] opposed President Özal's initiatives in attempting to unite all Turkic-speaking territories into one nation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=ТЕМИРГАЛИЕВ|first=Радик|title=Казахская родня|url=https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=30162035|access-date=23 February 2022|website=Информационная система ПАРАГРАФ|language=ru}}</ref>

In the aftermath of [[2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt]], Nazarbayev vowed to extradite any persons employed at lyceums who had "links with terrorism" with the [[Gülen movement]] by conduct a joint inspection in educational institutions located within Kazakhstan.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 August 2016|title=Назарбаев обещает выдать Турции любого, кто «связан с террористами»|url=https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-kazakhsko-tureckie-liceji-nazarbaev-erdogan/27903593.html|access-date=23 February 2022|website=Радио Азаттык (Azattyk Radio) |language=ru}}</ref>

Since 1992, trade between Kazakhstan and Turkey amounted to total more than 3 billion dollars yearly, reaching 3.5 billion in its peak in 2012 and remaining stagnant from there.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Байдаров|first=Еркин|date=23 September 2018|title=Как далеко могут зайти в сотрудничестве Казахстан и Турция: мнение эксперта|url=https://eurasia.expert/kak-daleko-mogut-zayti-v-sotrudnichestve-kazakhstan-i-turtsiya-mnenie-eksperta/|access-date=23 February 2022|website=eurasia.expert|language=ru}}</ref> During Nazarbayev's meeting with President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] to [[Istanbul]] in September 2018, both leaders announced their willingness to increase tradeover to 5 billion dollars with 10 billion set in long term.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 September 2018|title=Нурсултан Назарбаев посетил Турцию с официальным визитом|url=http://casp-geo.ru/nursultan-nazarbaev-posetil-turtsiyu-s-ofitsialnym-vizitom/|access-date=23 February 2022|website=«Каспийский вестник»|language=ru-RU}}</ref><ref name=":16"/>