THE IMPACT OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TO THE FOREIGN POLICY OF KAZAKHSTAN

Today, energy security has become an enormous part of national security policies. Energy security policies of states throughout the world have different characteristics in terms of importing and exporting countries. Therefore, states have started to design and implement energy security policies within the scope of their geographical, political and economic conditions. Kazakhstan is a new sovereign country trying to lead a new policy that makes it an equal partner to other governments of the global community. Having a wealth of hydrocarbon resources in the Caspian region Kazakhstan attracts foreign countries that consume energy resources. The country’s energy policy is based on what extent Caspian’s resources impacts on the foreign policy of Kazakhstan. The landlocked geography and not developed infrastructure bring more active policy based on its energy potentiality. In this study we try to show the development of the Kazakhstan energy policy regarding to country’s relations with the USA, Russia, China, European Union and Turkey via their projects. Having the very complicated geopolitical environment and young economy, Kazakhstan decided back in 1990’s to lead multi-vector and well balanced foreign policy. Also this study shows possibilities of future development in energy sector of the country.