Kazakhstan and Italy: strengthening cooperation in defence sphere

This is the first official visit of the Italian Minister of Defense to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

"Bilateral dialogue between our countries is characterized by partnership and mutual profitable interests not only in economic but also in political spheres. Undoubtedly, a strong political consensus of Kazakhstan and Italy leadership furthers this dialogue," Adilbek Dzhaksybekov said at the meeting with his Italian colleague.

Today the sides have discussed actual issues of military cooperation development between Kazakhstan and Italy, including defense industry sphere, acquisition of the latest models of military equipment, surveillance and communications systems, as well as issues of land forces collaboration.

Heads of Defense Ministries of Kazakhstan and Italy exchanged thier views on security in Central Asia and the current and future development of the situation in Afghanistan.

Folloing the relevant legal procedures, Kazakhstan would give Italy a right to transit its military equipment and personnel through Kazakhstan's territory in the frames of International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan.

The intergovernmental agreement on transit of Italian military equipment and personnel through the territory of Kazakhstan in connection with Italian contingent participation in the mission of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by NATO in Afghanistan has been signed by ministers of defense of the two countries today.

The agreement provides transition of military personnel and equipment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Italy through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan by rail and by air ways.

Kazakhstan has already concluded similar agreements with the other members of the ISAF mission - the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Britain, and France, and with the North Atlantic Alliance, as with the international organization.

Source: the Kazakh Ministry of Defense