U.S. thanks Kazakhstan for Iranian nuclear talks

In a telephone conversation with Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrissov, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has thanked Kazakhstan for hosting talks on the Iranian nuclear program, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the press-service of the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan. “Stressing Kazakhstan’s leading role in the nuclear disarmament processes, the U.S. Secretary of State expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for organization of two rounds of international talks on the Iranian nuclear program in Almaty,” the press-service writes. Besides, Kerry thanked Kazakhstan for its contribution to stabilization of Afghanistan and the support to Afghan national security forces and praised Kazakhstan’s efforts in facilitating social and economic restoration of this country. He also spoke highly of Kazakhstan as the leadership of the Central Asian region. “John Kerry took with great interest the information on the recent approval of the concept of Kazakhstan’s transition to the green economy and the measures taken in Kazakhstan for its implementation. "Speaking about promising economic opportunities, he expressed hope that Kazakhstan and the U.S. would deepen their cooperation, especially in science and technologies. "Yerlan Idrissov updated his American counterpart on Kazakhstan's social and economic achievements and on the tasks and goals set forth by the President in Kazakhstan’s 2050 Development Strategy. He emphasized that the key goal of all the programs adopted by the country's leaders was to enhancement well-being of the people of Kazakhstan,” the press-service reports. Heads of the two countries' Foreign Ministries agreed to continue close interaction. The conversation came as a continuation of Yerlan Idrissov's recent visit to the United States. During his visit on July 9 an agreement was made to introduce 5-year multi-entry visas for Kazakhstan citizens to the U.S.. Americans will also be able to obtain 5-year Kazakhstan visas starting from August 1, 2013.