THE LEGAL BASIS OF BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND AND CENTRAL ASIAN STATES (WITH A FOCUS ON THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN)

Abstract

Today, international treaties are the main source of international law and constitute a mechanism of regulation of bilateral and multilateral relations. International agreements provide states with an opportunity to run peaceful and profitable foreign policy in economics, security, and others. The number and the scope of bilateral agreements indicate the mutual interest of countries and reveal the main fields of cooperation. The following paper is devoted to the legal basis of bilateral relations between Poland and Central Asian republics with a particular focus on Kazakhstan. The first part of the paper argues, that ratified treaties belong in the Polish legal system to the sources of law. Among them, the crucial role play inter-state treaties and inter-government agreements. The next part of the paper reveals that the biggest number of treaties Poland has concluded with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Only with the latter Poland has signed a treaty of friendship. The agreements concluded by Poland with Central Asian countries are mainly devoted to trade, investments, taxation, and consular matters. The unique feature of mutual Polish-Kazakh cooperation constitutes agreements in the fields of security, defence industry, secret information, and agriculture. In general, taking into account the strong and comprehensive cooperation between Poland and Kazakhstan, the paper asserts the need for concluding a treaty of friendship and cooperation. It could serve as a good starting point for the fourth decade of bilateral official relations.