[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE WALORSKI

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, this month marks the 30th anniversary 
of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which celebrates its Independence Day on 
December 16 each year. The United States was the first nation to 
formally recognize Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, and the U.S.-
Kazakh relationship has only improved and strengthened over the past 
three decades.
  In 30 years, Kazakhstan has undergone significant changes--largely 
overseen by Kazakhstan's first President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Early 
on, President Nazarbayev decided to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear 
test site and commit Kazakhstan to nuclear nonproliferation by 
dismantling the Soviet-era nuclear program. Despite pressure from other 
regional actors, one of the Republic's first policy decisions was to 
stand with the United States and commit itself to a nuclear free 
future. Kazakhstan remains as committed today--30 years later--to the 
issue of nuclear nonproliferation and continues to champion this cause 
globally.
  Additionally, former President Nazarbayev took steps early in 
Kazakhstan's existence to align the nation with the West on economic 
issues--he was committed to creating a free market economy in 
Kazakhstan. From the start of the Republic, he understood the 
importance of U.S. investment'' to not just the Republic, but also to 
the region. Thirty years later, Kazakhstan is a member of the World 
Trade Organization and has diligently worked to establish a hospitable 
business and investment climate for foreign investors. Kazakhstan 
became a member of the World Bank's International Center for Settlement 
of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in 1992, and the nation's commitment to 
the rule of law has never been stronger. Today, U.S. companies are the 
largest source of direct foreign investment in Kazakhstan.
  That's why I support Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Kazakhstan 
and have joined in a bipartisan effort to pass legislation this 
Congress to ensure that Kazakhstan is lifted from the Jackson-Vanik 
amendment--a law meant to target the Soviet Union, a country that no 
longer exists--and certainly shouldn't impact fellow WTO members. And I 
can think of no better time, as Kazakhstan celebrates its 30th 
birthday, to push for such a milestone. I encourage the House of 
Representatives to pass this legislation as soon as possible.
  While I acknowledge that there is still much work to be done in 
Kazakhstan, I recognize that current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 
has been highly focused on pursuing a series of internal reforms 
focused across almost all sectors of public life in Kazakhstan--from 
political and parliamentary reforms to updates to existing statutes 
intended to increase the openness of civil society. Despite external 
pressures from influential neighbors, Kazakhstan has remained a 
peaceful and stabilizing force in Central Asia for 30 years--this is a 
testament to the nation's commitment to democracy and to Western 
ideals. As the people of Kazakhstan celebrate this great milestone, I 
applaud this nation on its 30 years of independence and look forward to 
continuing to strengthen the U.S.--Kazakh bilateral relationship in the 
coming years.

                          ____________________