Kazakh President received U.S. Congressmen

"During twenty years of independence, we have enjoyed active cooperation with the United States in all areas of our relationship. In the year following declaring independence, I visited your country and met with U.S. President George Bush. Together, we discussed various issues of supporting the formation of independent Kazakhstan, including the issues of nuclear disarmament - as you know, we had a large arsenal of nuclear weapons and nuclear testing ground. Many years have passed since then, much has changed in the world, we have become known and respected state. Today we are a developed country and our goal is to enter the number of developed countries until 2020-2025," said Nursultan Nazarbayev.

"We would like to express gratitude for the warm welcome. I would especially like to mention how much success Kazakhstan has reached for 20 years of independence, especially in Astana," said Dan Burton.

Kazakhstan and the United States established strategic partnership characterized by extensive interaction on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. In 2011 the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the U.S. totaled USD 2.74 billion that is by 26% more than in 2010.