May 8 this year Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Idrissov held a meeting with US First Deputy Secretary of State William Burns.
During the meeting, the state and prospects of cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United States in the political, trade and economic fields, as well as issues of implementing the agreements between the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev and the President of the United States B. Obama within the framework of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague were discussed. in March of this year
The parties noted with satisfaction the cooperation between the two countries on global security issues, primarily in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The American diplomat expressed gratitude for the contribution and initiatives of Kazakhstan in this area. In this regard, the signing in New York on May 6 of this year was especially noted. Protocol on Negative Assurances of the “Nuclear Five” Countries to the Member States of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (CAWFZ). Kazakhstan, as chairman of the CANWFZ for two years, has worked to advance this issue, thereby achieving a significant increase in security for the countries of the Central Asian region, and making a significant contribution to the global nonproliferation system.
The interlocutors also noted the successful work of the Kazakh-American bilateral mechanisms, such as the Commission on Strategic Partnership, the Joint Commission on Energy Partnership and the Commission on Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
Trade, economic and business cooperation is still an important element of the strategic partnership between our countries. The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted the recently increased interest of US high-tech companies in the development of joint projects in Kazakhstan. This is an indicator of the growing confidence of foreign investors in Kazakhstan and an indicator of the attractiveness of the investment climate in Kazakhstan.
The parties noted with satisfaction the progress in agreeing on the draft Agreement on Improving International Tax Control and Implementation of the US Foreign Account Tax Control Act. This document opens up new opportunities for effective interaction and information exchange between the financial and tax authorities of the two countries.
The interlocutors exchanged views on topical issues of international politics and regional security, including the situation in Ukraine. In this regard, the need was emphasized for the implementation by all interested parties of the agreements reached in Geneva on April 17 this year, and the hope was expressed that the parties involved in the conflict would show restraint and prevent further bloodshed.
W. Burns expressed special gratitude to Kazakhstan for the contribution of our country to the security and rehabilitation of Afghanistan. He assured that the United States, against the backdrop of the withdrawal of the international coalition troops from the IRA, will continue, together with its partners, including Kazakhstan, to support the stable development of Afghanistan, incl. within the framework of the Istanbul process, the next meeting of which was held in Almaty in April last year.
The interlocutors agreed to continue a regular dialogue at all levels and make additional efforts to strengthen and expand the Kazakh-American strategic partnership.