On March 18, 2025, the Chokan Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology hosted an important and fruitful meeting with Dr. Mihai Dragnea, President of the Balkan History Association (BHA), historian, and researcher of Islamic history. During the event, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Institute and the Balkan History Association.
The Balkan region, encompassing countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, and Turkey (specifically its European part—Eastern Thrace), has long attracted the attention of scholars and historians. This collaboration opens new horizons for in-depth research.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
- Representation and Cooperation
Dr. Mihai Dragnea committed to serving as the Institute’s representative in the Balkan region, while the Director General of the Institute, Z. E. Kabuldinov, will represent the Association in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. - Consultations on Academic Publications
The meeting included discussions on supporting the Institute’s academic journals in their efforts to be indexed in the Scopus database, which will enhance their international recognition. - Publications in an International Academic Journal
In December 2025, a special issue of an international journal dedicated to the “Historical Destinies of Romanians in Kazakhstan” will be published, featuring 5–7 articles prepared as part of joint research.
About the Balkan History Association (BHA)
The BHA is an independent, non-political organization dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary and comparative research on the Balkan region. The Association organizes both academic events (conferences, lectures) and public meetings for wider audiences. A key priority is fostering the development of a scholarly community and supporting young researchers.
The BHA actively engages in various historical fields, including political, cultural, military, economic, and urban history, as well as religious history and archaeology. The Association promotes freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas, advocating for a scientific approach to studying Balkan peoples and their cultural heritage.
Gifts from the Guest
As a token of appreciation and to strengthen cooperation, BHA representatives presented the Institute with books and the latest issue of a Scopus-indexed journal, which has become an important part of the joint project.
This visit marks a significant step in deepening academic ties and expanding opportunities for collaborative research in the history, culture, and archaeology of the Balkans.
