NATO HQ, Brussels 7 June 2002

Speech of the Army General Altynbayev, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan Honorable Chairman! Dear ladies and gentlemen! First of all I'd like to express my appreciation to NATO leadership for an excellent arrangement of this meeting. I also want to attract the attention of the respectable colleges to the importance of held in Kazakhstan, on June, 4 and 5 sammit Conference on interoperability and trust measures in Asia, in which participated representatives from 16 different countries, including leaders from Russia, China, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and other Nations. Such documents as Almaty Act, reflected the common will of the participants on providing peace and security in Asia, Declaration on struggle against terrorism and assisting to the dialog between civilizations became a result of the Conference. It is can be stressed that it was very important event for all Asian countries and other peoples fates, Mr. Nazarbayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan was the initiator of this conference, which can become the key element in stability all over the world and in the region. This is inevitably responds to the goals of the joint work in EAPC. Talking about our views on conditions and future of EAPC development, I'd like to mention some aspects of this issue with taking into account gained experience and wishes passed by the NATO General Secretary Lord Robertson in his letter. EAPC activities, on the ministers of defense level are undoubtedly very important first of all, because we hove opportunity to share our points of view with the colleagues from NATO countries and our partners on important problems of global and regional security, struggle against terrorism, organized crime and drug trade. Consultations in the frame of EAPC lead us to the transparency and trust between the participants with respect to security issues. They also assist to prevent the conflicts and settle the crisis as well as develop the practical activities. Now, when the events tafcen place in Afghanistan compel, the world community attention, it is very important to join our efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. It is also very important to understand that integrity plays the significant role in reaching security. In this aspect the role ofEAPC is invaluable and it is also a link between alliance countries and partners nations. Furthermore, the new challenges to the world security that appeared after September, 11, last year, have caused an exigency in partner states military organizations transition into the new feature. In the course of the armed forces reorganization the conducting of alterations that would let them to endow in regulation of the crisis situations; including the changes that have transboundary character is a paramount goal. For instance, in our opinion, it would be very useful to ORGANIZE combined courses for the military personnel from anti-terrorist units with NATO and partner countries experts participation. Bilateral programs, that a conducted with individual partner nations allowed to play an important role ill assisting them on making decisions on dimensioned, conceptual and practical problems of the military reform. Hereby, the partners role has been greatly increased in PFP activities, especially in connection with creating "partnership staff elements" in some NATO headquarters, where alliance and partner countries officers jointly and on the continuing basis carry out International Staff tasks. Once more I'd like to confirm you about our adherence to the practical cooperation in the frame of EAPC and PFP program. Today we make it our aim to create deep and more operative relationship with partners, that will be directed to further stability strengthening, mutual trust and our states security. At the same time we should take into account that specific peculiarities of each Nation, such as political, economic and even geographical carry in essential corrections in collaboration level and rates That is why we can see availability of EAPC development in approaching each participant, each Nation individually taking into account all circumstances, that have internal and external nature. As for as Kazakhstan concerns, we, being in the immediate vicinity of instability centers, are taking all necessary measures to maintain stability in the region. It is clearly shown by Kazakhstan input into the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan through putting at aviation coalition disposal of air space on grant. Contribution of Kazakhstan on providing humanitarian aids to Afghanistan is also very essential. As far as the development of the interoperability with NATO concerns, I'd like to say that Kazakhstan is accomplishing the process of joining the PARP program. We sent all necessary information for preparation preliminary goals of Partnership to NATO. In the nearest future we intend to invite NATO experts to make a practical evaluation of the strength and funds for participation in activities in the frame of PFP. Operative information exchange and situation monitoring in the region play an important part in strengthening our cooperation. In this connection we are also intend to consider with NATO experts an issue on opening NATO Informational Center in Kazakhstan with giving to it a status of a regional one. Tins Center will allow to widen geography of cooperation and to get information on Alliance transformations in proper time. In conclusion, I'd like to emphasize that our common goal is not to miss given to us opportunity to strengthen our mutual relations by means of developing and creating new consultations mechanism, making combined decisions and coordinated actions. Thank for your attention.