Majilis: Kazakhstan-NATO ? new stage of coop

ASTANA. March 18. KAZINFORM ?Kazakhstan and NATO are entering a new stage of cooperation?, the NATO Secretary General?s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons has said today at the meeting with Chairman of the Majilis Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Nurbakh Rustemov, Majilis press service informs.

The sides discussed the beginning of the second stage of cooperation in accordance with the Partnership Plan. At an early date it is planned to hold a forum and seminar on security, participation in the SCO activities and a range of other arrangements. Robert Simmons highly estimated Kazakhstan?s support of the NATO efforts to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan. Regarding to the issues of Kazakhstan's airspace he underlined the importance to enter into land transit agreement. The sides also talked about the joint efforts to ensure security in Central Asia. When the OSCE-NATO partership was mentioned, Nurbakh Rustemov noted that it was not only defense partnership that can be promising, but also partnership in a wide range of spheres. The officials spoke for holding regular meetings and consultations on topical problems.