Kazakhstan managed to build strong relationships with its neighboring countries, especially such world powers as Russia and China. In other words, was able to solve its border problems depended whether from China, as well as from Russia.

Kazakhstan celebrating this year the anniversary of its half-century independence, in order to establish relations of cooperation in different fields with countries of the Eurasian Region made some important initiatives that led to the creation of the Union.

After strengthening connections with all the countries of Asia and Europe but not only in Eurasia, Kazakhstan, is turned to the African continent which has great importance for all countries of the world.

So the former colonial powers subordinating collaborating with the black continent to their own interests, trying to monopolize. Considering, African countries as the region in their own sphere of influence, trying to prevent access to other countries of the world.

Although Kazakhstan is represented with the embassies in the three of African countries - Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa, has also been able to establish diplomatic relations with the majority of the continent and gain observer status in the African Union. Having opportunity as a country to collaborate with African countries based on bilateral and multilateral relations, that meet interests of both sides, explains Kazakhstan’s attention focused on these countries.

Kazakhstan is one of the countries that surrounded on all sides by land, not having access to open seas and oceans. This also impedes ties, especially trade cooperation with the African continent.

In the fight for hosting International Exhibition "Expo-2017" against the Belgian city of Leyj African states supported Kazakhstan.  I should note that, African states also supported the President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev’s suggestion to establish “The Islamic Organization on Food Security”. Also, African countries advocated Nazarbayev’s, proposal on “Suppression of nuclear weapons «during his speaking at the UN General Assembly. 11 from 35 votes gave for the adoption of the proposal was owned by African countries.

It is known that Kazakhstan and most countries of Africa, suffered from nuclear tests. France has conducted 17 nuclear tests in Algeria region - the Great desert. Apparently, this is derived from the interest of African countries to ban nuclear weapons. On the other hand, Kazakhstan hopes for African countries’ support in 2017 - 2018 UN - Security Council candidacy for non-permanent membership.

 Kazakhstan took an active part in preventing the spread of Ebola virus in West African countries. In order to combat the virus has allocated to African Union and the UN Development Fund 350 thousand dollars. Kazakhstan is also actively cooperating with the UN Development Program focused on raising the level of education in the African continent.

Kazakhstan is actively takes part in preservation of peace and prosperity in the African continent. Numerous Kazakhstan troops are taking part in UN’s peacekeeping missions in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia and Western desert.

Senegal's President Macky Sall’s official visit to Kazakhstan held on May 20-21 had a great importance. So, this was the first visit of the head of non-Arab African country to Astana. This visit opens a new page in Kazakhstan and African countries relations. Especially, should be taken into account that, Kazakhstan by strengthening partnerships with Senegal aims to establish extensive relationships with the countries of the Euro-Asian region.

Senegal is one of Africa's few non-Arab countries which have established bilateral relations at the highest level with Kazakhstan. Senegal’s stability since independence positively affected (Influenced) economic and political development.  In other words, Senegal unlike to most of the African countries was far from a wave of acute political changes and military coups and as a result distinguished with dynamic economic activity, democratic development. This case created an opportunity to attract investments to the country and implement major infrastructure projects.

After independence, Senegal has been elected as UN Security Council’s non-permanent member three times.  Moreover, becoming the Economic and Social Council’s member for 6 times, Senegal played a major role on the African continent gaining the trust of the international community.

Senegal, gaining one of the region's most powerful and trained armies, is known as the most active participant of the United Nations, the African Union and the West African Union peacekeeping missions, carried out in different parts of the world.

Despite the fact that the lack of a direct maritime transport between Kazakhstan and Senegal disrupt the establishment of trade relations between them, both countries have the alternatives for the development of economic cooperation. This is especially belongs to the agricultural sector in which involved 75 percent of the workforce in both countries.

In the period of increasing importance of cultural relations between the parties, recognition of the parties closer to each other is considered as an important basic from the point of creation of mutual trust and understanding conditions between different peoples and nations. Only this relationship is one of the main topics on the development of cultural relations discussed between Kazakhstan and Senegal, at the negotiation table.

 I should note that, the discussion of security, military and the fight against terrorism issues are the notable points during talks between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Senegal.

Senegal president’s visit to Kazakhstan has a great importance to both countries. Except opening a new page in the relations between the two countries, this visit as well as played very important role in the establishment of relations between the Central Asia and West Africa, south of the Sahara and the African continent’s other regions. In particular, entering history as non-Arab African head of state’s first visit to Kazakhstan, to the Central Asia's region, the occurrence of this event on the eve of Kazakhstan’s elections as the UN Security Council non-permanent member for the years 2017-2018, to be held in June could not be ignored.

The numerous agreements signed between the two countries during the visit have an impact on further development of cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields.

 Author: Ahmed Abdo Tarabik - Analyst Researcher on Asian Studies