KZ President, US Commander discussed security in Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran

ASTANA. January 14. KAZINFORM /Aigul Tulekbayeva/ President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has received Commander of the US Central Command David Petraeus in Akorda palace today, Kazinform reports.

At a briefing Mr. Petraeus noted it was his first visit to Central Asia. The US Commander expressed admiration with Kazakhstan?s achievements over 17 years of independence. According to him, issues of preservation of security and stability in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and other topical international problems were discussed. D. Petraeus expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its contribution to strengthening peace in Iraq having reminded that he participated in a ceremony of awarding the Kazakh officer who had served in the headquarters of the US Central Command and handing over decorations to 30 militaries of the Kazakh engineer troops. ?Over the 5 years Kazakhstani militaries have neutralized more than 5 mln explosive substances, rendered medical aid to hundreds of citizens of Iraq and taught neutralisation of explosive devises to the representatives of Iraqi forces?, he said. Touching upon the situation in Afghanistan, the parties noted that our republic greatly contributed to the economic development of this country. ?We also spoke about President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai's stance and necessity of ensuring security in this country and the problems of the participants of the coalition working there?, D. Petraeus said. D. Petraeus thanked President N. Nazarbayev for opening Kazakhstan?s air space for the coalition forces and signing agreements on transit of non-military cargo and goods through the territory of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan. Such agreements were also signed by the Russian Federation, he added.