At the beginning of the year, an interview given by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the newspaper Turkestan – a leading Kazakh-language media – caused a significant resonance in Kazakhstan. Our Central Asia correspondent analyses the text of the conversation with K.Tokayev.
President Tokayev’s choice to speak with readers of a Kazakh-language publication is not accidental. A former diplomat with extensive experience in senior positions at the UN, he emphasized that he personally reads a large number of newspapers every day.
Overall, Tokayev prioritises print media in the world of digital information.
“I receive information from newspapers about worthy people who work fruitfully in all spheres of public life for the benefit of Kazakhstan. Popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Telegram channels, you must agree, are far from the fundamental interests of working people. I would like our society not only to live for news sensations and video clips but to value meaningful information. I am convinced that countries with a high culture of reading will remain at the forefront of global progress,” Tokayev began his interview.
The proportion of Kazakh-speaking people in Kazakhstan, which celebrates 35 years of independence this year, is growing (as of 2025, ethnic Kazakhs make up 71.2 per cent of the country’s population). Therefore, the President’s choice of the newspaper Turkestan is deliberate.
A key partner for Europe
Kazakhstan, as the leading state in Central Asia, is becoming increasingly important for the European Union. It is not just about energy, given that Kazakhstan is rich in oil, gas, and uranium. The EU-Kazakhstan cooperation agenda now includes transport, rare earth metal extraction, education, and visa simplification.
At the start of the interview, K.Tokayev emphasised that the Kazakh economy had grown by more than 6 per cent, the country’s GDP had crossed the $300 billion mark, and per capita GDP had exceeded $15,000. These are record figures not only for Kazakhstan but for all of Central Asia.
Nevertheless, Tokayev sees no reason for complacency.
He cited Eastern wisdom: “Danger lurks even in the most favourable of times.” (English version: “Don’t rest on your laurels.”).
“I constantly urge civil servants not to become complacent under any circumstances, not to rest on their laurels. We must work hard and move forward, especially since there are many unresolved issues,” the Kazakh President said.
Indeed, the Kazakh leader’s work schedule could be envied even in Europe. In 2025, in a short period, Tokayev visited Beijing, Washington, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi, Tashkent, Dushanbe, Bishkek, Ashgabat, and Tokyo.
Foreign policy and reforms
“A dense schedule of high-level foreign policy events speaks to Kazakhstan’s increased prestige and its demand as a subject of international law. In addition to overseas visits, Astana was visited by leaders of influential states from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Behind every negotiation are pivotal issues of economic and investment cooperation. In the past year, documents worth more than $70 billion were signed to develop priority sectors of our economy,” Tokayev replied.
He believes that Kazakhstan should not remain a bystander in the world: “We must have our own point of view and a balanced position on key issues of international relations. Therefore, at the jubilee session of the UN General Assembly, I detailed Kazakhstan’s position on reforming this universal global organisation. I have no desire to act as a mediator in international disputes, nor do I have any aspiration to return to work at the UN,” the Kazakh leader noted.
Thus, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev rejected rumours about a possible move to a high-ranking position at the UN, despite his previous experience and personal authority within the international organization.
Tokayev continued by stating that reforms in Kazakhstan under the concept of “Strong President – Influential Parliament – Accountable Government” will continue. In 2027, Kazakhstan plans a referendum on parliamentary reform: a transition from a bicameral to a unicameral system, similar to EU members like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, and Cyprus. Apparently, simplifying the law-making process is necessary for Kazakhstan at this stage of development.
The Middle Corridor
For the European reader, it is noteworthy that President Tokayev identified the development of the Middle Corridor—connecting Europe and China through Kazakhstan—as a priority.
“For our country, strengthening its transit and logistical potential is a task of strategic importance. Though landlocked, Kazakhstan is located in the center of the Eurasian continent at the intersection of most transit routes. This is a great advantage that we must skillfully use for the benefit of the country,” said the President.
He noted the importance of the new Dostyk–Moyynty railway line, which will increase cargo volumes between China and Europe fivefold on that section. Plans include building and modernizing 5,000 km and repairing 11,000 km of existing railways by 2030.
Rare Earth Metals
In an era of European dependence on China for rare earth metals, finding new partners is vital for Brussels.
Kazakhstan is one of the first states with which the EU signed a Memorandum in the field of critical raw materials.
“The demand for critical materials will double in the next five years. Here, a new window of opportunity opens for Kazakhstan. It is very likely that we will become one of the world leaders in rare earth mineral reserves,” Tokayev said.
In conclusion, a journalist asked Tokayev about his health, noting that President Trump recently published his medical data. Tokayev replied that he does not complain about his health, and his blood pressure is stable.
“I’ve gotten into daily yoga, but without meditation. A couple of times a week, I play table tennis with a former professional player. I have indeed lost nine kilograms, which has improved how I feel,” the 72-year-old Kazakh leader admitted.
So we hope that Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s health and political vision will continue to skillfully guide Kazakhstan along its multi-vector policy and toward deeper cooperation with Europe.
