The conceptual basis for Kazakhstan’s foreign policy was formulated shortly after the country achieved independence in 1991. The goal is to create and maintain favorable conditions for the steady development of the country on the basis of political and economic reforms.
Kazakhstan enjoys stable relationships with all of its neighbors, and is a member of the United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, North Atlantic Cooperation Council, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and an active participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Partnership for Peace program. Kazakhstan is also a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and is the founding member of the Conference for Interaction and Confidence in Asia. Kazakhstan also engages in regional security discussion with ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).