Washington—Rep.
Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) introduced legislation today to improve American ties with
the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan. The
largest Central Asian state, Kazakhstan has made considerable advances in
democratization and free trade since breaking away from the former Soviet Union.
Rep. Pitts’ legislation would grant normal trade relations to
Kazakhstan for the first time. A
similar measure has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Sam Brownback (R,
KS).
“Kazakhstan has made
considerable gains since the fall of the Soviet Empire,” said Rep. Pitts.
“So much so, that the Jackson-Vanik law that prevented their getting
NTR no longer applies. Establishing
a normal trading relationship will only help Kazakhstan make still further
advances towards free markets and free politics.”
After the breakup of the Soviet
Union, NTR remained suspended for 12 former Soviet republics, including
Kazakhstan. Since then, Kazakhstan
has developed a free-market economy and a democratic system of government.
It is now the most economically developed of all former Soviet Central
Asian states, with a growth in GDP estimated at eight or nine percent for 2000.
“Many challenges remain ahead
for Kazakhstan,” said Rep. Pitts, “but normalizing trade with this
strategically important nation will help them meet those challenges.
This is the right thing to do, and it’s the right time to do it.”
Rep. Pitts is a member of the International Relations Committee, the Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee of the International Relations Committee, as well as of the Helsinki Commission.
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