REGIONALIZATION OF CENTRAL ASIA. STRATEGY OF KAZAKHSTAN

On October 18, senior researcher of the international research projects service of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan-Elbasy Osman Dosov took part in the conference "Regionalization of Central Asia. Strategy of Kazakhstan", organized by the Representative office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

The purpose of the conference is to stimulate discussion on the strategy of Kazakhstan in Central Asia, to discuss topical issues of the region from the position of Kazakhstan to develop new ideas and topics, as well as to propose possible formats of cooperation of Central Asian countries.

Within the framework of the panel sections, the gathered scientists, young researchers and experts on Central Asia discussed the issues of security, nationalism and the role of non-state actors in Central Asia, regional infrastructure and trade and economic relations, energy and water resources, combating terrorism and violent extremism in Central Asia and Afghanistan, the strategic position of Kazakhstan in the context of geopolitical processes in the region, etc.

- As a result of the event, we can conclude that it is too early to talk about the integration of the Central Asia countries. In turn, the regionalization process is only at a very early stage. Relations between the States of the region are more inherent in the development of bilateral cooperation, since it is much easier to agree with each country separately. At the same time, Kazakhstan is quite capable of taking on the role of the "locomotive" of Central Asia and by implementing joint projects to show an example to other countries. One of the promising directions is tourism, which implies the development of Turk