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    Kazakh President to join India at Munich Security Conference to call for lasting peace in Afghanistan

    Synopsis

    Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will attend the Munich Security Conference and establishing peace in Afghanistan will be among his key talking points. Tokayev will take part in the forum “Alliance for Multilateralism,” which will be within the framework of the conference. Kazakhstan is a strong supporter of nuclear disarmament.

    Kazhak---ReutersReuters
    Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (File Pic)
    NEW DELHI: Kazakhstan, as the largest state in Central Asia, is interested in supporting regional security and stability and has found cause with India in safegaurding the peace process in Afghanistan. Kazakhstan will continue to support the Afghan people in restoring statehood. This will be key message from Kazakhstan at the Munich Security Conference between Feb 14-16.

    Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will attend the Munich Security Conference and establishing peace in Afghanistan will be among his key talking points. Tokayev will take part in a forum titled “Geography Matters: A Conversation on Central Asia,” within the framework of the Munich Security Conference.

    Besides nuclear disarmament will be his priority. Kazakhstan is a strong supporter of nuclear disarmament. The merits of Kazakhstan in this matter are well known. Kazakhstan is 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 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 Middle East. 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. Overall, the foundation has been laid for a political settlement through a nationwide dialogue with the participation of all ethno-confessional and political forces.

    Kazakhstan took the initiative to establish, under the auspices of the UN, the Global Network to Combat International Terrorism and Extremism. Kazakhstan 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.

    The relevance of the security dialogue confirms the success of the Kazakhstani initiative to convene a Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, first put forward by First President of Kazakhstan from the rostrum of the 47th session of the UN General Assembly in October 1992.

    Today, the CICA unites 26 states that cover more than 90% of the territory of Asia and almost half of the population of our planet. An important initiative of Kazakhstan was the launch of a dialogue between the CICA and the 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. It is convinced that in the face of global challenges, the stereotypes of bloc thinking and the archaic division of the world into spheres of influence should be a thing of the past.

    Nazarbayev was among key drivers of Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) with which India will enter into FTA.

    Central Asia can play a special role in this as a key transport, transit, infrastructure and communication link between Asia and Europe.

    In June 2020, the capital of Kazakhstan - Nur-Sultan - 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.


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    ( Originally published on Feb 13, 2020 )
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