The international conference, entitled "Nuclear Dilemmas: Present and Future" has been held in The Hague in the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Kazakh Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev was the one to open the forum. Representatives of many countries arrived at the anti-nuclear forum to support the process of disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as well as peaceful application of nuclear energy. During the meeting of Kanat Saudabayev with the Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, both sides noted the high level of development and positive dynamics of bilateral cooperation in trade and economics as well as political spheres. Participants of the international "Nuclear Dilemmas: Present and Future" conference discussed Kazakhstan's positive example based on the country's experience, CaspioNet reported.
"It is quite symbolic that the conference is being held on the 20th anniversary of the closure of the world's largest nuclear test site in Semipalatinsk by presidential decree against the Soviet authorities' will. Since gaining independence Kazakhstan and its leader have been consistent and active supporters of the global process of non-proliferation and the reduction of nuclear weapons," said Kanat Saudabayev, Kazakh Secretary of State
Kazakhstan's valuable contribution to regional and global security and the reduction of the nuclear threat was recognized in the world arena. Since 2006 Kazakhstan has been one of the promoters of the global initiative for fighting against nuclear terrorism. The Agreement on creating a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia was signed in Semipalatinsk. Kazakhstan has consistently spoken for the development of atoms for peace under the guarantees of the IAEA. In his report Kanat Saudabayev reminded the participants of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's initiative on developing a new universal treaty on vertical and horizontal non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. He also advocated for the UN's adoption of a Universal Declaration of a Nuclear Weapons Free World that would demonstrate the commitment of all countries to move towards a nuclear-free world.
According to the Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, consequences of nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk Test Site show the importance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty's entry into effect as only this can put an end to nuclear tests. He noted that cooperation between the United States, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands is a good example of addressing necessary measures to ensure the security of radioactive materials in Kazakhstan so together we can find a way to strengthen the global regime of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.