New Delhi: The largest Central Asian nation, Kazakhstan, is interested in supporting regional security and stability, and has found cause with India in safeguarding the peace process in Afghanistan. The message from this country to the ongoing three-day Munich Security Conference from February 14 is that it would continue to support the Afghan people in restoring statehood.
The Conference has been attended by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev who would make an effort to establish peace in Afghanistan. He took part in a forum titled “Geography Matters: A Conversation on Central Asia,” within the framework of the Munich Security Conference.
The Kazakh President’s priority would be nuclear disarmament, as he is a strong supporter of it. Kazakhstan has been promoting in the international community the idea of creating a world free of nuclear weapons by 2045 – the centenary of the UN.
On the initiative of the First President – Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan closed the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and voluntarily abandoned the fourth nuclear arsenal in the world.
The experience of Kazakhstan proves that these security guarantees are provided by a combination of domestic and foreign policies based on sustainable economic growth and social progress, consideration of mutual interests and a search for constructive solutions.
This step was a manifestation of the strength and wisdom of the people of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has made and continues to make a significant contribution to strengthening the non-proliferation regime. Among the most important steps are the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, the establishment of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Low Enriched Uranium Bank, the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution on the International Day against Nuclear Tests, and the ratification of the Nuclear Weapons Treaty.
Kazakhstan supports international efforts to restore peace and stability in the West Asia. It has provided a platform for inter-Syrian negotiations. As part of the Astana process, agreements were reached on the cessation of hostilities, the creation of de-escalation zones, and the provision of conditions for the safe return of refugees.
The central Asian country took the initiative to establish, under the auspices of the United Nations, the Global Network to Combat International Terrorism and Extremism. It has also initiated a code of conduct for a world free of terrorism by the centenary of the UN and calls on all countries to join it.
Today, the CICA unites 26 states that cover more than 90 per cent of the territory of Asia and almost half of the population of the planet. An important initiative of Kazakhstan was the launch of a dialogue between the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) – the two largest forums on security and cooperation.
Kazakhstan has been, and remains committed to creating a common and indivisible security community in Eurasia.
Nazarbayev was among key drivers of Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) with which India will enter into Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
In June, the capital of Kazakhstan will host the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation. For young country like Kazakhstan, which joined the WTO five years ago, the conference is an important event.
