Kazakhstan's 30th Anniversary of Independence

Floor Speech

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Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, on December 16, 2021, the Republic of Kazakhstan will celebrate its 30th year of independence from the former Soviet Union. I congratulate President Kassim-Jomart Tokayev and Kazakhstan's people for the notable progress they have made as a nation in that short period of time.

Strategically located between Europe, China, Russia, and the Middle East, Kazakhstan has been a global crossroads for centuries. Clearly, its place in the world today is more significant than ever. Kazakhstan's vibrant economy--the largest by far in Central Asia-- enhances the country's strategic importance.

One of Kazakhstan's greatest and most enduring achievements since independence has been its renunciation of nuclear weapons. Upon dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan possessed the 4th largest nuclear arsenal in the world, and since then has maintained a consistent policy advocating nuclear non-proliferation. In 2006, Kazakhstan joined with the four other central Asian countries to sign The Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, committing to ban production, acquisition, or deployment of nuclear weapons across their territory. The Republic continues to lead in non-proliferation efforts.

Kazakhstan has been a good friend to the United States over these thirty years, standing with us after 9/11, supporting our military efforts both in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and working actively with the U.S. and other countries to counter global terrorism. Since 2013, Kazakhstan has been an active participant in the CS+1 format, which is the platform for dialogue and cooperation between the U.S. and the five Central Asian nations. Further, in 2018, the United States and Kazakhstan entered into an Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

In just 30 years, Kazakhstan has achieved great things and has taken its place in the international community of nations. I appreciate the engagement of Kazakhstan with the U.S. on defense, security, counterterrorism, and on many other areas of mutual interest. I offer my best wishes to President Tokayev, to Ambassador Ashikbayev, and to the people of Kazakhstan on their Independence Day.

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