Ambassador-Designate Krol praises strategic partnership

ASTANA. KAZINFORM On July 17, 2014, Ambassador Krol gave testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In his testimony, Ambassador Krol said, "Our Strategic Partnership with Kazakhstan has become increasingly important as Kazakhstan takes its rightful place on the world stage as a country of consequence."

He noted that the U.S. invested about $31billion of foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan, making it "our most important economic partner in the region." He also noted Kazakhstan's stabilizing role in Afghanistan, Iran nuclear talks, nuclear nonproliferation and vital contribution to the Northern Distribution Network. "As Kazakhstan increases its role and voice in regional and international affairs, the United States wishes to be Kazakhstan's trusted strategic partner," he said.

He also outlined the strategic goals of the U.S. in Kazakhstan: "For the United States, our strategic goals are to facilitate and strengthen Kazakhstan's sovereignty and independence, its stability, its prosperity and its democracy," US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said.