Kazakhstan Maintains Neutral Stance on Middle East Escalation

Kazakhstan says it will not take sides in the current escalation in the Middle East and will continue to follow its non-interference policy, Orda.kz reports.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev said Astana’s position remains unchanged: Kazakhstan does not support either Iran or the states that have come under attack. He added that Kazakhstan opposes escalation and believes conflicts should be prevented whenever possible and, if they do break out, resolved only through diplomacy.

We want such conflicts, especially military conflicts, to not exist in the first place, and if they do arise, they should be resolved at the diplomatic table. We call for, and hold the position that such conflicts should be resolved in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.he said. 

In response to a question about the possible provision of a negotiating platform, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative reminded that Kazakhstan already has experience in mediating complex international conflicts.

In particular, negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program were previously held in Almaty as part of a broader diplomatic process around Tehran. In addition, more than 20 rounds of talks on the Syrian settlement between representatives of the Syrian authorities and the opposition were held in Kazakhstan’s capital. These meetings have received international recognition as one of the key de-escalation formats.

He specified, however, that there have been no official requests so far to provide a platform for new negotiations. If such a request is received, Kazakhstan is prepared to consider it carefully.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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