From October 22 to 24, the 16th BRICS Summit was held in the capital of Tatarstan in Russia, with the participation of Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Specifically, he delivered a speech during the plenary session in the outreach/“BRICS Plus” format, as reported by Zakon.kz.
His speech attracted considerable attention, as prior to the summit, presidential spokesperson Berik Uali had announced that Kazakhstan would refrain from submitting an application to join BRICS. This decision was made with consideration of the multi-step membership process and other factors related to the development prospects of the group.
It is important to emphasize that this statement provides important guidance on Kazakhstan's relationship with BRICS. While Kazakhstan actively engages in dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with BRICS members, it currently has no plans to apply for membership.
This approach is driven by national interests and considers the position of BRICS itself, which at the latest summit decided to temporarily pause its expansion. This was stated earlier as well.
Such a move does not carry any anti-Russia or anti-BRICS sentiment, as some might assume. On the contrary, it reaffirms Kazakhstan’s aspiration to deepen friendly and cooperative relations with all members of the bloc while aligning with its national interests.
Kazakhstan respects BRICS’ internal processes, recognizing their potential to strengthen international cooperation, and acknowledges the complexity of the multi-step membership process. Therefore, the decision to refrain from applying reflects Kazakhstan's objective view of its priorities and long-term goals.
During the “BRICS Plus” meeting, President Tokayev expressed sincere support for BRICS' efforts and highlighted its achievements as a new center of global attraction. His speech was one of the most positive among the participants, where he congratulated colleagues on the forum’s tangible successes and emphasized BRICS’ role in strengthening solidarity among countries from different continents.
According to Tokayev, BRICS has shown the world the power of unified development and a readiness to use joint opportunities for the common good. Kazakhstan’s strategy regarding BRICS does not involve rushing into membership but focuses on gradual, systematic interaction.
By supporting principles of cooperation and mutual understanding, Kazakhstan has chosen a balanced path aligned with its national interests, while enhancing the country’s role as an independent and responsible partner on the international stage.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 25, 2024