Israeli President proposes Kazakh Defence Minister to hold joint exercises

The Minister offered his deepest condolences to the President and people of Israel upon the loss of Ariel Sharon. "Kazakhstan has been maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel practically since gaining its independence. I would like to note that Kazakhstan was the first among the Central Asian countries to open its embassy in Tel Aviv. It proves Kazakhstan's long-term aims and resolutions to develop and cement bilateral cooperation of high political level," Dzhaksybekov said. He also expressed gratitude for supporting Kazakhstan's initiative and active participation of Israel in the CICA activities. Shimon Peres highlighted that thanks to the well-balanced foreign and home policies of Nursultan Nazarbayev Kazakhstan is one of the dynamically developing countries of Central Asia. He also expressed readiness of Israel to cooperate in the field of high technologies development. As for military collaboration, President Peres proposed to hold joint military exercises in Kazakhstan. "Our country attaches particular importance to widening investment and technical cooperation with Israel in defense industry. I would like to express gratitude for supporting Astana candidacy as a host country of the EXPO 2017 exhibition and invite Israeli companies to take part in it," he added.