Azerbaijan, Baku, Sep. 16 / Trend E. Kosolapova/
Kazakhstan hopes to expand its participation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in cooperation with Russia, Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov told Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Independent newspaper) in an interview.
"It would be naive and foolish on our part to miss the opportunity to work closely with such a powerful space country as Russia, in the commodore located in our own country," he said.
Idrissov noted that new Baiterek space rocket complex is being created at the Baikonur Cosmodrome which will ensure a high level of environmental safety. Following its creation, launches of the Proton rocket which uses highly toxic propellants will be stopped.
The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. It is located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan. It is being leased by the Kazakh government to Russia until 2050 and is managed jointly by the Russian Federal Space Agency and the Russian Space Forces.
Under the current Russian space programme, Baikonur remains a busy space port with numerous commercial, military and scientific missions being launched annually.