№ 5 (49), 2011 - KazEnergy

Among the Central Asian states Kazakhstan has the best chanceto be firmly settled in the main oil-exporting region of our planetmarkets from other regions of the world, includingCentral Asia.It is noteworthy that if the Arab Gulf countriesalmost with their full complement arebeing leading and the most influential membersof the Organization of Petroleum ExportingCountries OPEC, Kazakhstan, likeother oil producing countries of the post-sovietterritory (Russia, Azerbaijan) is not includedto this organization.Nevertheless, Kazakhstan would be able toclosely cooperate with Saudi Arabia, Kuwaitand United Arab Emirates (the largest oilexporters in the region) and Qatar (the mainplayer in the Gulf on the export of naturalgas) as to maintain high international energyprices as well as when discussing newroutes for pipelines in various directions.It is important to note the fact that Kazakhstanhas no political or economic disputeswith the Arabian Gulf countries, betweenAstana and the capitals of the Gulf monarchiesa steady dialogue is maintained at thehighest level and at the level of business cooperation,which also creates very favorableconditions for strengthening inter-regionaland bilateral cooperation.Also the very mutual energy interests makesuch Kazakhstani connections with thecountries of the Arabian Gulf truly profitableand attractive for both parties. Exceptthe energy sector there are not so much economicinterests of the Arabian Gulf countriesin the post-soviet space, particularly inCentral Asia.But in cooperation with Kazakhstan suchinterests are being from the very beginningand this would be a good idea to be used byAstana in its own plans as well as in expansionthe interest of leadership of the Arabianmonarchies in republics neighboring to Kazakhstan.For its part, Kazakhstan could have beenmuch more actively using the potential ofthe Arab Gulf countries, included to OPEC,for pushing its interests to the world marketsof oil export. Especially considering thefact that Astana in the nearest five or sevenyears can expand its export capacity of energyresources in the direction of Chinese andEuropean markets.Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar - the mostpotentially lucrative partners for Kazakhstanin the energy sector. But about the other Gulfcountries Astana should not forgetBased on the current volumes of oil and gasexport Saudi Arabia and the UAE could beregarded as the most beneficial partners forKazakhstan in the Arabian Gulf on oil sector,and Qatar - on the export of natural gas.As for Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, Astana has alreadyestablished close ties with them bothat the level of heads of state and in economiccooperation.It should be recognized that the potential ofthis cooperation is obviously not used to fullcapacity, especially regarding the sale of oilthrough the "swap replacement supplies" atKAZENERGY87