Abstract:

Since 1991, Kazakhstan has conducted foreign relations with new policy objectives and means different from those of the USSR. Facing foreign and domestic challenges, the Kazakh leaders agreed with the principle of multi-vector foreign policy that presented the new republic as a friendly state toward the world. Astana has no imperialistic agenda in establishing mutually beneficial ties with other countries regardless of their nature, history, and system.

In this regard, Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) whose members are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. Despite their small size, the GCC states have significant powerful political footprint due to their economic energy and financial resources, beyond their important geopolitical position.

Kazakhstan and the GCC began establishing ties from 1994. Beside cordial diplomatic relations, the nature of their ties were to be on mutually beneficial economic partnership and common cultural ties.

At the 30th anniversary of their ties, it is fair to analyze the nature, scope, and functions of their relations in terms of the success and challenges of their Diplomatic, Economic, and Cultural spheres. Thus, study begin with a review of their political/diplomatic ties. Then, we explore their economic partnership from 1994 to 2023 in terms of:

1. Trading relationships;

2. Investment cooperation;

3. Charitable Activities

Finally, we examine their common cultural cooperation. Thus, this study will present clear trends for the evaluating their ties from the start to now. Last but not least, we will also estimate the future trends in their relationship.