At the Senate of the Italian Parliament in Rome, a round table on the topic “Kazakhstan - a country of reforms in the heart of Asia” was held on the initiative of the parliamentary group of the ruling party “Fratelli d’Italia.” The event was dedicated to the reforms in Kazakhstan and the role of the country in the Central Asian region. Senators of the Italian Parliament, experts from think tanks, journalists, diplomats, and representatives of Italy’s academic and business circles participated, DKnews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Italy, Yerbolat Sembaev, addressed the participants of the round table and informed the Italian political, expert, and media community about the significant political and economic reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan, as well as measures for further transformation and modernisation of the country.
In particular, the Kazakh diplomat highlighted the building of a “Just Kazakhstan” as the key element of the reform policy proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan.
“Over the past five years, Kazakhstan has undergone a substantial transformation of its political and economic systems. Kazakhstan has become the only country in Central Asia to implement such significant reforms in such a short time, especially in the political sphere. Today, we can talk about the formation of a unique Kazakh model of political reforms,” noted Yerbolat Sembaev.
The Ambassador elaborated on the main principles underlying the “Just Kazakhstan” initiative, such as “the listening state,” “different opinions - one nation,” “strong President - influential Parliament - accountable government,” “Adal Azamat” (Honest Citizen), and others.
“The reforms have irrevocably changed the nature of social relations, altered the nation’s political mentality, increased civic activity, raised the level of civic participation and solidarity, and made public opinion a significant element of political life,” emphasized Yerbolat Sembaev.
“Overall, the trajectory of Kazakhstan’s development is clear—democratisation, political pluralism, expanding citizen participation in governance, and further protection of human rights. Today, there are not many countries in the world undergoing such large-scale transformations. Kazakhstan has entered a new era of development. The country is experiencing a dynamic and comprehensive process of renewal,” concluded the Ambassador.
In addition to the reforms, Yerbolat Sembaev also informed the event participants about Kazakhstan’s role as a “middle power” in the world.
“Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country on the Eurasian continent. It borders Russia to the west and north for over 7,500 km, and its border with China is about 1,800 km long. For both regional powers, Kazakhstan holds strategic importance as a supplier of raw materials, a market, and a transport corridor. Additionally, Kazakhstan is a key transport and logistics hub in the region, with 13 international transport corridors passing through it, including 5 railways and 8 highways,” noted the Kazakh diplomat.
The leader of the “Fratelli d’Italia” parliamentary group in the Italian Senate, Lucio Malan, highlighted two areas of convergence between Kazakhstan and Italy: the growth of regional autonomy and the strengthening of parliamentary powers. According to the Italian senator, Kazakhstan has tremendous development potential, and both countries are moving in the same direction.
“Italy and Kazakhstan are moving in the same direction in terms of democratisation. The path Kazakhstan has taken since gaining independence is unique, and today the country is taking further steps and moving in the right direction,” added Senator Malan.
At the round table, presentations were also made by Federico Castiglioni, an expert from the Italian Institute of International Affairs (IAI), and Alessio Postiglione, a professor and journalist, who discussed European strategy in Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s role in the region, and trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Italy.
The round table concluded with an exchange of opinions among the participants and responses from the speakers to questions from the audience.
