The first president of independent Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has clearly stated the main diplomatic strategy of his country - creating and maintaining favorable conditions for the nation's steady development through political and economic reforms.

These transformations within the country have determined the main priorities of the country's foreign policy, its impartial status and strong desire for full involvement in international and regional matters.

At that time the government had to make key military, political and economic decisions including democratic reforms and establishing a new state governing system.

These decisions sought to integrate Kazakhstan smoothly into the international community.

Kazakhstan's foreign policy is generally in line with global political trends toward liberalization, according to the embassy of Kazakhstan in China.

Main achievements in the country's development over the past 15 years show one of the most important decisions made at that time was to gain the status of a non-nuclear state and to pursue a non-proliferation policy.

Kazakhstan's diplomacy was successful in developing good relations with Russia, China, the United States and many other European and Asian countries.

As a result, the nation has friendly relations with its neighbors, enjoying a "security belt" around its borders.

Without conflicts or confrontations with any other country, Kazakhstan has created favorable external conditions for its development, ensuring its political and economic interests in general.

Today the nation has established diplomatic relations with 140 countries and regions in North America, Europe and Asia. It is a member of 64 international political and economic organizations, and has signed more than 1,300 international and intergovernmental agreements

Kazakhstan was accepted as a member of the United Nations in March 1992 and has since participated in many UN activities.

It also has active cooperation with the majority of North American, European and Asian countries and with their regional organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and others.

Globalization participation

With its location at the center of Eurasia, Kazakhstan's participation in global and regional affairs and events is an obvious necessity for strengthening its independence.

Today Kazakhstan is involved in the transformations underway throughout the world as part of the process of globalization.

As interdependence of countries grows, problems that were before considered domestic or regional now have an influence on countries worldwide.

The phenomenon is most obvious in areas such as trade, finance, technology and digital information.

The global economy has increasing influence and importance in all societies, often affecting major political decisions.

As globalization gains momentum, so do processes of regional economic integration, with alliances developing in every corner of the planet.

Many countries have realized that their national goals can be achieved only through developing regional cooperation, which Kazakhstan from the very beginning of its independence has constantly promoted.

Astana took practical measures to cooperate in the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Association and the Central Asian Economic Association, as well as within newly founded Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In early 2005 Kazakhstan called on its neighbors for the eventual establishment of a Central Asian Union based on commonality of historic, ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds and shared challenges and interests in future.

With its foreign policy becoming an integral part of national policy over the past 15 years, the country has found ways for correlating its own national interests with those of other countries.

At present there are more than 70 diplomatic and consular offices worldwide representing Kazakhstan abroad.

A law on diplomatic relations for the Republic of Kazakhstan has been adopted and its foreign policy and international cooperation are well established.

Kazakhstan has gained respect in the international community and the principles of the republic's foreign policy are recognized in the diplomatic community.

Achievements in UN

The country strives toward development and strengthening of security and its related organizations in Asia. In 1992 at the UN President Nazarbayev called for an initiative to establish a Conference on Interaction and Confidence in Asia (CICA).

He believes that the process can and will become reality and an integral part of international relations in Asia.

Many Asian countries encouraged the initiative and a number of international organizations including the UN support the process.

The first CICA summit took place in Almaty in June 2002 adopting the "Almaty Act" which outlines the principles of security and cooperation in Asia.

With the support of partner-countries the CICA process continues to evolve.

In November 2006 Kazakhstan was for the first time elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

In the elections of 18 new ECOSOC members at the UN General Assembly, Kazakhstan was supported by 187 out of a total of 192 UN member states, considerably exceeding the required minimum two-thirds of the vote.

Kazakhstan is a large country located in Europe and Asia, its interests are multifaceted and there is no bias towards one continent or another.

Its geographical location has helped define the priorities of Kazakhstan's foreign policy and has influenced the many directions of its diplomatic activity.

Kazakhstan entered the 21st century adapting its foreign policy priorities to new geopolitical realities.