Kazakhstan approved transit of Spanish military property to Afghanistan

Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a law on ratification of the Agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Spain giving the Spanish party a right for transit of the military property and personnel via the territory of Kazakhstan in relation to Spain’s participation “in the international efforts on stabilization and restoration of Afghanistan,” Tengrinews.kz reports citing Kazakhstan President’s press-service. Earlier this draft law was approved by Majilis and Senate of the Parliament. Based on the special permit, Spain gets the right to use Kazakhstan's air space via routes priorly approved by Kazakhstan party (at least 24 hours beforehand), with provision of all information on transported property and people. The agreement on transit of military property and personnel via Kazakhstan was adopted in July 2009 in Astana. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kairat Omarov, presenting this draft law in the Parliament, commented the necessity of its adoption by the fact that this is the way Kazakhstan expressed its willingness to render aid to the international forces to ensure security in Afghanistan. "You know that this corresponds to our national interests, besides, everything that takes place in Afghanistan is very important for Kazakhstan," Omarov said. By Renat Tashkinbayev