Kazakhstan

F

Foreign Trade

In 2003 exports earned $12.9 billion and imports cost $8.4 billion. Chief exports were crude petroleum, refined and unrefined metals, coal, and cereals. Imports included machinery, vehicles, consumer goods, foodstuffs, and natural gas. Although Kazakhstan conducts trade with a diverse number of countries, Russia is by far the largest single trading partner.

Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has become more integrated into the world economy while also seeking closer economic integration with other former Soviet republics. In 1994 Kazakhstan signed a partnership accord that established economic contacts with the European Union (EU). Also that year, Kazakhstan formed a trilateral economic and defense union with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan; with the addition of Tajikistan in 1998, the four nations formed the Central Asian Economic Union (renamed the Central Asian Economic Forum in 2001). In 1996 Kazakhstan formed a customs union with Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade; in 1998 Tajikistan also became a member. In 2000 these five countries broadened the scope of the customs union by founding the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) to coordinate trade policies and promote economic interaction. Kazakhstan is also a member of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which promotes economic cooperation between Islamic states.

VI

Government

In 1993 Kazakhstan promulgated its first post-Soviet constitution, which officially established Kazakhstan as an independent republic with a democratic system of government. In a referendum held in August 1995, voters approved a new constitution that provided for substantial changes in government, including the creation of a bicameral (two-chamber) legislature. Constitutional amendments that were enacted in 1998 lengthened the terms of office for the president and the members of the legislature. All citizens aged 18 and older may vote.

A

Executive

The president of Kazakhstan is head of state. The president is directly elected to a seven-year term. The president appoints a prime minister, with the approval of the legislature, to head the government. The president also officially confirms the prime minister’s recommended appointments to the Council of Ministers. The constitution gives extensive powers to the president, including the rights to rule by decree and to dissolve the legislature under certain conditions. The constitution also prohibits the president from being officially affiliated with a political party.

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B

Legislature

The legislature of Kazakhstan comprises two chambers, the Senate (upper house) and the Majlis (lower house), with a combined total of 116 members. Members of the lower house serve five-year terms, while members of the upper house serve six-year terms. Of the 39 members of the Senate, 32 are elected by regional assemblies (special electoral colleges comprised of members of local councils), and 7 are appointed by the president. All 77 members of the Majlis are directly elected.

C

Judiciary

The highest court in Kazakhstan is the Supreme Court, whose members are nominated by the president and chosen by the Senate. Supreme Court judges are appointed for life. Under the 1995 constitution, the Constitutional Court that had been established in 1991 was replaced by the Constitutional Council. The council rules on all constitutional matters, but its decisions are subject to a presidential right of veto. The council is composed of seven members: three appointed by the president and four appointed by the legislature.

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