At a meeting with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) on Wednesday in Vienna, he said that the situation was now “under control”. Schallenberg had previously called for a transparent investigation and compliance with human rights.
“Peace and stability” and the rule of law are essential for the international community, investors and the population, emphasized Schallenberg. Kazakhstan is the most important economic partner in Central Asia. According to the authorities, a total of 225 people were killed in the riots in Kazakhstan and thousands were arrested. Tileuberdi said 2,000 of the 7,000 arrested are still in custody.
The protests at the beginning of the year were sparked by increased fuel prices at gas stations. In addition to peaceful demonstrations, there were also violent riots, particularly in the city of Almaty. “The pictures shocked us,” explained Schallenberg. Tileuberdi defended President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s order to shoot. The President’s words were a signal to armed resisters and were not directed against the demonstrators. He spoke of “terrorists” and radical Islamists who spoke Asian. The situation is now under control.
Human rights organizations have long criticized the authoritarian political system in Kazakhstan. Freedom of expression and free and fair elections do not exist. In the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Kazakhstan ranks 155th out of 180. The country ranks 94th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Kazakhstan is Austria’s most important oil supplier. In 2020, 36.6 percent of all Austrian crude oil imports came from the resource-rich country. Further opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, such as wind power, are seen. Kazakhstan also has 30 years of diplomatic relations with Austria.
The situation in the oil and gas-rich country, which borders Russia and China, had calmed down again after a Russian-led military operation by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Meanwhile, the CSTO troops withdrew again. Schallenberg welcomed the withdrawal.
Source: Nachrichten
