On November 12, analysts of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research Anton Dudaryonok and Yuri Yarmolinsky took part in a round-table titled: "The Gates of Eurasia: the experience of Belarusian-Kazakh relations and new horizons of regional cooperation". The event was organized by the Faculty of International Relations of the Belarusian State University and the Centre for Eurasian and European Research with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Belarus.
For the Belarusian expert and analytical community, the relevance of this event is due to the transit of power in Kazakhstan, which ended this year, and the beginning of reform policy, which puts the importance of analysis and forecasting of further prospects for bilateral cooperation between Minsk and Nur-Sultan on the international agenda. In addition, it is equally important to analyse the role and place of Belarus and Kazakhstan in Eurasian integration projects and initiatives, where both countries act as gateways to Central Eurasia.
Opening the event, the participants were greeted by Professor V.G.Shadursky, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations of BSU, and A.A.Beisenbaev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Belarus.
A.E.Matsevilo, Head of the Main Department of Economic Integration of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus; A.V.Tikhomirov, Associate Professor of the International Relations Department of Candidate of Historical Sciences; N.I.Skirko, Associate Professor of the Customs Department of Candidate of Economic Sciences; R.M.Turarbekova, Associate Professor of the International Relations Department, Candidate of Historical Sciences were given floor as well.
Anton Dudaryonok, Head of the Department of Asia, Africa and Latin America of the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research, Candidate of Historical Sciences made a report on the potential of Belarusian-Kazakh cooperation and possible points of growth in the relations between the two countries. In his speech, he focused on the main trends and potential of Belarus-Kazakhstan cooperation taking into account the ongoing reformatting of roles between major players in Eurasia: Russia, China, the West and regional power centres.
During the discussion, BISR analysts noted that the competitive race for economic and technological leadership, which is unfolding in the post-Soviet space, requires a deeper strategic partnership between Belarus and Kazakhstan as driving forces behind Eurasian integration. Its main areas of focus are increasing trade and investment turnover, industrial cooperation, joint coordinated participation in transcontinental transit projects, including the Chinese large-scale The Belt and Road Initiative.
