UN to appoint K. Tokayev Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

ASTANA. March 12. KAZINFORM Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon talked over the phone; Kazinform has learnt from the presidential press service.

The parties discussed the issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the countries of Maghreb, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Ban Ki-moon expressed appreciation for active and balanced foreign policy of Kazakhstan. Particularly, he emphasized Kazakhstan's successful chairmanship in the OSCE and holding of a top-level summit in Astana.

The Secretary-General said that the UN carefully studied the proposal of the President of Kazakhstan on the nomination of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for an executive position within the UN system. Taking into account Kazakhstan's significant contribution to the enhancement of international security, nuclear non-proliferation regime and success in socio-economic development and external policy of the country Ban Ki-moon made a decision on appointment of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.