[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 215 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING 30 YEARS OF KAZAKHSTAN'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2021

  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to recognize the 30th 
anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 
Kazakhstan achieved its independence from the former Soviet Union and 
became a self-governing nation-state on December 16, 1991. Guided by 
its first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan quickly renounced 
nuclear weapons, and worked with the United States to close the former 
Soviet nuclear test facility at Semipalatinsk and secure the nuclear 
materials stored there. These bold gestures by President Nazarbayev and 
his government at a time of significant instability in the region set a 
precedent on nuclear safety and nonproliferation efforts for Kazakhstan 
in the international community.
  After independence, Kazakhstan quickly turned away from Soviet-
inspired central economic planning and built a stable market economy. 
As early as 1992, Kazakhstan joined international arbitration bodies 
and actively invited foreign investment in the country. Today 
Kazakhstan's economic output is one of the most robust in Central Asia, 
and American companies are some of the largest investors in Kazakhstan. 
In 2015, after twenty years of negotiations, Kazakhstan acceded to 
membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), further broadening 
its relationship with the global economic community.
  In 2019, the Kazakh people elected President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 
who has pledged more important economic and political reforms. He has 
called his vision of government, ``the listening state,'' and has 
promised to hear and respond to Kazakh citizens, to act consistently 
with international social, labor, and human rights standards, and to 
encourage participation in the political life of the country. I applaud 
these calls for reforms and hope that the government of Kazakhstan will 
implement them which will ultimately benefit the country and cement its 
place as a reliable friend of the United States.
  One of the requirements of the WTO is that members extend permanent 
normal trade relations to each other. Unfortunately, the U.S. has yet 
to grant permanent normal trade relations to Kazakhstan, citing the 
Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 which restricts trade 
relations with non-market economies that limit the right of citizens to 
emigrate. This measure was aimed at the Soviet Union and its then-
allies in response to their punitive restrictions on Jewish emigres. 
Joined by my friends, Ms. Walorski, Ms. Murphy, and Mr. Chabot, I 
introduced H.R. 5544 in October to grant permanent normal trade 
relations to Kazakhstan. It is long past time for the U.S. to take this 
step. The Soviet Union no longer exists, and its successor, the Russian 
Federation, was granted permanent normal trade relations in 2012. 
Meanwhile, since independence, Kazakhstan has granted all of its 
citizens the freedom to emigrate and adopted a stable market economy. 
The conditions that led to enactment of Jackson-Vanik no longer exist, 
and the reasons for its restrictions on trade relations have long since 
ceased to apply to Kazakhstan. Permanent normal trade relations will 
benefit Kazakhstan and will also benefit the many U.S. companies 
investing in and doing business in Kazakhstan.
  Kazakhstan also has been a crucial leader and partner to the U.S. on 
counterterrorism efforts, providing support and assistance to the U.S. 
during its engagement in Afghanistan. The country has an abundance of 
natural resources, including rare earth and other critical minerals 
that will play a significant role in the global shift away from fossil 
fuels. Kazakhstan has a young and educated workforce and actively 
promotes universal education, including English language skills, so its 
citizens can fully participate in the global economy. For these 
reasons, I believe Kazakhstan deserves our sustained interest, 
friendship, and attention as it continues to evolve.
  Madam Speaker, I recently assumed the role of co-chair of the U.S.-
Kazakhstan Caucus because I believe our relationship with Kazakhstan is 
very important to the economic and national security of the United 
States. We clearly benefit from our friendship with this vibrant and 
growing nation located in such a strategic part of the world. I invite 
all my House colleagues to consider joining the Caucus and supporting 
the granting of permanent normal trade relations to Kazakhstan.
  Congratulations to the Kazakh people on 30 years of independence, 
progress, and growth.

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