Astana, Kazakhstan, Dec. 12
By Daniar Mukhtarov - Trend:
A wide range of issues of the Kazakhstan-US cooperation, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine were discussed at the third annual meeting of the bilateral commission on strategic partnership between the US and Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry said Dec. 11.
The meeting was held as part of the Kazakh foreign minister, Yerlan Idrissov's visit to Washington, and was attended by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.
During the meeting, Kerry said the relations between the US and Kazakhstan are truly the most significant in the region, and the US is grateful to Kazakhstan for its exhibited leadership.
He also pointed out the great importance of Kazakhstan's program for training of 1,000 Afghans in peaceful professions, calling it an important component of state building and stabilization in Afghanistan.
Kerry once again reaffirmed the intention of the US to facilitate the early accession of Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The parties also discussed topical issues on the international agenda.
Idrissov, for his part, expressed his deep concern over the continuing conflict in Ukraine, the use of sanctions policy and generally deteriorating relations between Kazakhstan's main partners against this background.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of an early cessation of the armed confrontation in Ukraine and addressing contradictions through peaceful means, including on the basis of the Minsk agreements.
Following the meeting a joint statement was adopted.
The statement enshrines the parties' approaches to such issues as the partnership on global issues, non-proliferation, democracy, human rights and development, trade, investment and energy, Afghanistan and regional integration, cooperation in security and law enforcement sector; military cooperation, education, partnership in science and technology, people to people contacts, humanitarian aid and development assistance, as well as the EXPO 2017 exhibition.
Edited by CN