In the know

Miloslav Ransdorf tells Martin Banks that EU leaders are disadvantaged by a lack of knowledge about Kazakhstan

It is a huge country covering a territory equivalent to the whole of western Europe, has vast mineral resources and enormous economic potential. But left-wing MEP Miloslav Ransdorf says that Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries still lack “real” democracy and warns that achieving it could be years off.

“For the Kazakhs, a real understanding of the concept of democracy will only emerge slowly over a period of time. At present, democracy is very fragile in Kazakhstan. The first task is to create the rule of law and then develop something resembling a civil society. Currently, both of these things are weak. But I have to say that the willingness to move towards a real democracy in Kazakhstan is beyond dispute.”

The country faces other problems too, adds the former author, including poor control of its borders, which he says require more effective management, and drug trafficking.

Ransdorf, who is deputy chair of the European United Left group, is a member of parliament’s delegation to Central Asia, and says he has had an interest in the region for many years. One of 24 MEPs from the Czech Republic, which assumes the EU presidency on 1 January, Ransdorf “fully supports” Kazakhstan’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization, saying such a move will contribute to creating a mutual feeling of confidence.

“What you have to remember about Kazakhstan is that it is an important regional player because of its energy resources and the role it plays as a stabilising influence in an otherwise insecure region. In the recent past, this role was assumed by Uzbekistan, but, because of its growing economic strength, is now played by Kazakhstan. Indeed, it is hard to find a much better example of a multinational country, with many different cultures and regions, operating quite so effectively.”

He says the EU is generally seen in the country, and in Central Asia as a whole, as a respected partner rather than a potential dominant force. “The EU commands such respect because Kazakhs realise it can contribute to the development of their country’s economy.”

However, he says that key EU figures, such as commission president José Manuel Barroso, foreign affairs supremo Javier Solana and external affairs commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, are “disadvantaged” by a lack of experience and knowledge of Kazakhstan, its culture and history.

“Consequently, the EU has committed many blunders in Central Asia, such as in the Caucasus,” he declares. But he believes the parliamentary cooperation committees, set up to help foster better EU-Central Asia relations, can help address this problem. Similarly, the role played by Kazakhstan as one of the EU’s main energy suppliers is crucial, he adds.

“Let’s face it, the country is a very, very desirable source of energy for Europe, even if most of it currently goes via Russian pipelines. The challenge for the EU is to help diversify the network for supplying this energy so we do not become over-reliant on any one country for our energy.”