Kazakhstan allowed France military transit to Afghanistan

Kazakhstan has ratified an agreement with France to allow transit of French military equipment and personnel across the territory of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan, KazTAG reports. The document was published on Wednesday, August 3, in the official media. “Ratification of the agreement between the Governments of Kazakhstan and France to ensure transit of military equipment and personnel across the territory of Kazakhstan in relation to participation of French military forces in the effort to stabilize and restore Afghanistan,” says the decree signed by Nursultan Nazarbayev on July 22, 2011. Earlier Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Omarov who presented the draft law to the parliament said that the goals of this agreement is to strengthen Kazakhstan’s role in the international effort to stability and restore Afghanistan. Kairat Omarov also said that French contingent is the second largest among the countries taking part in the Enduring Freedom operation in Afghanistan. French troops are part of the coalition forces united under the central command. “Ratification of the agreement will not entail any negative social, economic or legal consequences, neither it will requires any additional budget allocations,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said.