U.S. Assistant Secretary of State thanked Kazakhstan for contribution to Afghanistan stabilization

ASTANA. March 25. KAZINFORM Kazakh Secretary of State - Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev has met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs - Robert Blake today, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry reports.

The sides complimented dynamic development of the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the USA based on common interests and values, consolidation of peace, security and development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The parties noted that the visit of President N.Nazarbayev to the USA in April, 2010, his talks with President Barack Obama and participation of U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton in the OSCE Summit in Astana gave an impetus to the partnership development.

In this regard, the Kazakh Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to the United States for strong and consistent support of Kazakhstan as the OSCE chairman in 2010.

According to K.Saudabayev, the agenda of political consultations between Kazakhstan and the USA in the year of the 20^th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence and the Kazakh-American diplomatic relations establishment includes a wide range of issues of bilateral and international cooperation. These are the issues of regional security, Kazakhstan's OIC presidency, promotion of its role in the dialogue between East and West, global food security.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State expressed satisfaction with wide and eventful cooperation program with Kazakhstan - reliable partner of the USA in Central Asia.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.

R.Blake thanked the Kazakh leadership for assistance and support of the global efforts on stabilization of Afghanistan.