Kazakhstan Ambassador presents credentials to NATO Sec Gen

At the meeting the sides discussed the state and prospects of the bilateral relations development. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer appraised Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev?s policy and activity in ensuring regional security, owing to which Kazakhstan is a founder of such significant world initiatives like nuclear disarmament, closure of the Semipalatinsk Test Site, establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone and etc. The upcoming chairmanship in the OSCE in 2010 shows Kazakhstan?s role as a leader ensuring stability in the region. The main event of 2009 will be NATO/ ЕАРС Security Forum in Astana on June 24-25. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer emphasized that holding this forum on Kazakh President N.Nazarbayev?s initiative will set new parameters of mutually beneficial and constructive partnership. The Kazakh diplomat determined outlines of further interaction of Kazakhstan with the NATO and attracted the Secretary?s attention to main aspects of topical problems. Y.Utembayev noted the situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized that Kazakhstan backs the NATO decision taken at the Summit in Strasbourg on an integrated approach to the peace issue in Afghanistan, which foresees rendering military, political, economic and humanitarian assistance. In this connection Kazakhstan plans to render economic and humanitarian assistance to Kabul. The NATO expresses special interest in interaction with Astana during Kazakhstan?s chairmanship in the OSCE in 2010, where Kazakhstan should become the most important participant of the processes of ensuring international security. Y.Utembayev informed that within the chairmanship in the OSCE the Afghan issue solution and countering new challenges and threats will be priority directions. The Kazakh Ambassador noted the necessity of improving the mechanisms of resolving the situations of the so-called «frozen conflicts». Kazakhstan is interested in the Alliance activity on strengthening its potential in the sphere of modern challenges and threats prevention. In this context the sides spoke for further development of the Kazakhstan-NATO cooperation in the defense sphere, which foresees studying of new technologies and their use in the military sphere, and experience of the military planning. Yerik Utembayev and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer noted interaction activation in the sphere of emergency civil planning. Emphasizing high level of friendly personal relationships with President N.Nazarbayev, the Secretary General conveyed the best wishes to the Head of the State and wished successful development of the bilateral partnership.