In Search for a Long-Term Partnership: Kazakhstan’s Afghan Policy

Afghanistan Regional Forum No. 7, April 2013

By Svetlana Kozhirova
(Eurasian National University, Astana)

The Republic of Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (IRA) in 1992. For some time, however, the difficult situation in Afghanistan and continued warfare hindered the development of closer ties. Relations were confined to a diplomatic mission until 2003, when the mission was upgraded to the status of the embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Mukhamedkali Bakbergenov appointed temporary chargé d’affaires. In August 2005, Agybai Smagulov was appointed ambassador.