Kazakh Ambassador met with President of Canadian Space Agency

ASTANA. April 2. KAZINFORM. Kazakh Ambassador to Canada Yerlan Abildayev met with President of the Canadian Space Agency, astronaut Steve MacLean on Wednesday in Ottawa. The issues of Kazakh-Canadian cooperation in the sphere of space were discussed; Kazinform refers to the Kazakh MFA?s press service.

The diplomat informed Mr. MacLean of the development of Kazakhstan?s space industry. Having emphasized Canada?s big experience in construction of space satellites, Mr. MacLean said that his country is ready to cooperate with Kazakhstan. According to him, Canada?s experience will help realize national space programs in Kazakhstan. ?On May 27, 2009 Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk will be taking part in Expedition 19 flying on a Soyuz for a six-month space mission. He will be the first Canadian astronaut to fly from Baikonur cosmodrome?, the head of the Canadian Space Agency told. S. MacLean noted that he plans to attend the launch. He hopes to meet with his Kazakh colleague Talgat Mussabayev and discuss issues of cooperation.