Afghanistan may be a potential area for joint efforts, Kazakh Minister

14:33, 25 June 2009

ASTANA. June 25. KAZINFORM. /Rizvana Sadykova/ "Afghanistan could become a potential area for joint efforts", Minister of Foreign Affairs Marat Tazhin said speaking at the plenary meeting of the NATO/EAPC Security Forum. "While intending to use in full transit opportunities of the region we must pay more attention to non-military aspects of security. Kazakhstan put forward an initiative to provide education and training for Afghans in areas of healthcare, education, agriculture, law enforcement and military disciplines. Multilateral and bilateral projects are underway to supply humanitarian aid", according to the Minister.

He also said that Kazakhstan welcomes the decision of the NATO recent Summit to activate elaboration of the reconstruction programs in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on economic and humanitarian fields. Kazakhstan expects that its regional resources will be employed in this process.

Speaking about the drug trafficking problem, the Minister said: "Certain degree of cooperation has been established under the UN and different multilateral programs. However it goes without saying that these efforts are not enough and there is an urgent need to do more. Creation of Central Asian Regional Information Center is one of these steps and we would welcome concrete measures of EAPC members to support this endeavor. No doubt, ISAF plays an important role in fighting terrorism and extremism. We support its mission and hope that increase in the number of troops deployed by the Alliance and the United States will contribute to the achievement of the main goal which is peace in Afghanistan."

Politics Astana