NEWS

Remarks by Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov

before meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

(February 1, 2012, Department of State)

This is my first official visit to the United States in my capacity as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I am grateful to Secretary Clinton for the invitation and the opportunity to discuss our growing strategic partnership.

Kazakhstan and the United States have covered a lot of ground in the first 20 years of cooperation and we look forward to even stronger relationship in the future. Our two countries share commitments to fundamental values and principles of freedom and opportunity, peace and cooperation, dialogue and understanding.

Strengthening the nonproliferation regime has always been one of the strongest pillars of our bilateral partnership. I am looking forward to discussing our further work in this area, including the planned meeting between Presidents Nazarbayev and Obama at the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul which will help contribute to creating a nuclear safe world.

Working together for regional stability and development in Central Asia has long been a critical part of our partnership. We will discuss joint efforts in stabilizing Afghanistan, providing logistical support to the United States and Kazakhstan’s participation in the Northern Distribution Network.

I am also looking forward to discussing economic cooperation, investment opportunities and energy partnership that will continue to benefit both countries. The US corporations can play a greater role in Kazakhstan’s diversification efforts and invest in our economy.

Kazakhstan has recently elected a new, multiparty Parliament, and the United States welcomed that fact. The election became an important step towards a stronger pluralist political culture, strengthening the rule of law, better protection of human rights and a more advanced democracy. And we look forward to a more robust cooperation and dialog in this important area as well.

Last but not least, I am also hoping to have meaningful discussions on ways to make mutual travel for the people of Kazakhstan and the United States easier which will further strengthen the multi-faceted ties between our nations.

Thank you for your attention and thank you again, Madame Secretary, for this opportunity.