Constitutional Modernization of Kazakhstan: International Expert Dialogue in the Netherlands Ahead of the Referendum

Constitutional Modernization of Kazakhstan: International Expert Dialogue in the Netherlands Ahead of the Referendum

18.02.2026 14:03:04 246

The Hague, 17 February 2026 – As part of the international information and analytical outreach accompanying the constitutional reforms underway in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of the Netherlands held a meeting with Mr. Dennis Sammut, Director of the LINKS Europe Foundation and Managing Editor of the independent analytical portal commonspace.eu.

For reference: commonspace.eu is an independent analytical platform based in The Hague, specializing in issues related to Europe and its eastern and southern neighbourhood, including Central Asia and Kazakhstan. The portal publishes original expert articles, analytical reviews, the Concise newsletter, and the Unpacked podcasts, shaping discussions among the expert community, political circles, and decision-makers. The platform is managed by the LINKS Europe Foundation, which promotes the concept of a secure and prosperous Europe in partnership with neighbouring regions.

Mr. Dennis Sammut is a recognized expert on the post-Soviet space, a graduate of the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford, and a recipient of the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to the development of peace processes in the Caucasus.

During the dialogue, the conceptual foundations of the draft new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the institutional logic behind the transformation of the political system, and the strategic parameters of public administration modernization were presented in detail. Particular attention was given to the key provisions outlined by the Head of State at the Fifth Meeting of the National Kurultai, as well as to the strategic priorities highlighted in the President’s interview with the newspaper Turkistan.

Mr. Sammut noted that he has closely followed Kazakhstan’s development for many years and highly commended the consistency and depth of its political and socio-economic reforms. In his assessment, Kazakhstan has established itself as a stable and dynamically developing state playing a constructive and stabilizing role in Central Asia. He particularly emphasized the significance of the country’s multi-vector foreign policy strategy and its capacity to adapt to the evolving global architecture of security and development. The role of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in shaping a new stage of political modernization was also highlighted.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed mutual interest in further developing expert cooperation and expanding analytical dialogue.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-hague/press/news/details/1164270?lang=kk