NATO and Kazakhstan: joint throw forward?

Kazakhstan and the alliance cooperation history is serious enough, and by the first review of 2 years partnership is being prepared which in the nearest future will be examined in Brussels.

In it NATO is going to give its evaluation how good Kazakhstan has done its part of the task. At the same time, said Robert Simmons, we start to draw plan for next 2 years.

This plan is made of 4 chapters. The first describes political interconnections between NATO and Kazakhstan and, in particular, Kazakhstani plans towards further democracy strengthening.

- Here we examine questions of Kazakhstan regional cooperation and interrelation with its neighbors which are efficient enough. Besides, in this chapter we examine solutions of those threats which we face together with Kazakhstan: fighting terror, mass destruction weapon non-proliferation and NATO actions in Afghanistan, - said NATO functioner.

The second chapter is dedicated to bilateral cooperation in defense and security, the third - civil reaction in extreme situations planning. it has less militarized character but represents an important aspect of NATO-Kazakhstan cooperation.

The last, fourth, plan's chapter is mostly dedicated to the technical aspects, in particular, to administrative work.

- This plan was agreed on bilateral basis with Kazakhstan. Thus, it is our common goals and tasks. We also simultaneously confirm that Kazakhstan has cooperation with many other countries and participates in other partnerships. At this let me underline the following fact: we do not see NATO partnership as competing cooperation with other partnerships which the republic has with other countries. There is no such an element, - said Robert Simmons.

He specially underlined the moment that "has become for me staggering during the time being in Kazakhstan - the increasing level of possession of information towards your parliamentarians". Our deputies, turned out to be, because of the Internet access "quite enough know the "Partnership for Peace" program and the reform done in the Kazakhstan Defense Ministry".

- It could be said that Kazakhstan worked very good to provide this knowledge, - emotionally answered Robert Simmons.

Other directions in which NATO works with Kazakhstan are central planning, team work and control operations. NATO is ready further to promote assistance on these directions.

The next direction of the republic and the alliance joint work is KazBat, or by now already a brigade because the quantity rose.

The evaluation of the trainings held with its participation was very high. The preparation to similar trainings is already done for this year, and this, according to NATO representative, "will lead to increased involvement of other countries in the region".

- Besides, your government has taken the decision to increase its opportunities in potential operations on Caspian Sea. We examine by now options to assist naval power increase. I have already visited bases which are located there. We investigate options related to the fact how to commit to the process, - said Robert Simmons.

NATO is also ready to assist in weapon utilization which Kazakhstan has and already has funding of USD 600-700 thousand for this purpose.

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