Karimov-Nazarbayev rivalry pervades bilateral summit

analysis

Karimov-Nazarbayev rivalry pervades bilateral summit

By SRI ⋅ May 16, 2008 ⋅

Kazakh leaders see establishing good ties with neighboring Uzbekistan as essential for advancing their regional integration agenda. In March 2006, President Nursultan Nazarbayev observed, “The geopolitical situation in our region and the future of integration processes among our neighbors depends on Kazakh-Uzbek relations.” The April 22-23 summit between Nazarbayev and Uzbek President Islam Karimov, however, demonstrated that Uzbekistan will not soon endorse Kazakhstan’s multinational initiatives.

Since Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, their governments have signed approximately one hundred bilateral agreements. The most important include the Strategy for Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for 2007-2016 and the Program of the Economic Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for 2006-2010.

Yet, relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have long been strained. Many of their bilateral agreements have been implemented partially, if at all. The two countries, along with their presidents, have become perennial competitors for regional primacy. Uzbekistan has the largest population and strongest military, but Kazakhstan enjoys the richest natural resources (especially oil) and most successful economy.

By Richard Weitz (CACI Analyst)