Astana: Reiterating Kazakhstan`s determination to establish a nuclear weapon free zone in Central Asia, President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said his government supports the efforts of the international community to counter nuclear terrorism.
"Our initiatives to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime are a key contribution to global stability, order and security. Being the first in the world to close nuclear testing site at Semipalatinsk and abandon nuclear weapons, we gained strong international security guarantees from the leading nuclear powers: USA, Russia, Great Britain, France and China," Nazarbayev said.
"We firmly believe in the need to take decisive measures to eliminate nuclear threats. We believe that the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty has been and remains the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime. We consider the early entrance into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty as an important driving force to strengthen the non-proliferation regime," he added.
"Three years ago the UN General Assembly supported my suggestion to announce August 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests. All of this is a testament to the recognition of Kazakhstan`s role in global politics. Kazakhstan has been recognized as a leader in nuclear nonproliferation and remains a model for other countries," Nazarbayev further said.
On the issue of energy resources, Nazarbayev said: Kazakhstan``s oil and gas complex remains the powerhouse of its economy, which facilitates the growth of other sectors.
"We have successfully created a modern and efficient oil, gas and mining sector. Our success in this area will help us to build a new economy of the future," he said.
ANI
