Italy's military cargo transit from Afghanistan ratified by Kazakhstan's Senate

The Upper Chamber of Kazakhstan’s Parliament has ratified on June 26 the Agreement between the government of Kazakhstan and Italy on transit of military equipment and personnel via Kazakhstan’s territory in connection with participation of the Italian Armed Forces in the efforts to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan, Tengrinews reports citing IA Novosti-Kazakhstan.

According to the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security, the aircraft transit will be carried out along air routes specified in Annex 2 to the Agreement and based on the airspace use permits issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The aircraft flights in Kazakhstan's airspace for the purposes of the agreement shall be executed in accordance with the rules of ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] and regulations of Kazakhstan for airspace use and flight operations,” the Committee said.

The Kazakh side will provide the Italian aircraft with air navigation services in accordance with the laws of Kazakhstan, which will mean collecting air navigation charges.

Aircraft crews operating within the airspace of Kazakhstan shall strictly comply with the instructions (commands, recommendations) of the bodies governing (servicing) and managing the air traffic in Kazakhstan.

Air traffic is not going to be the only way to transport the Italian military cargos via Kazakhstan.

All in all the number of military property located on the territory of the country at any given time shall be strictly limited to one train. In addition, “military equipment and personnel will be subject to border and customs control, and if necessary, other types of control in accordance with the laws of Kazakhstan”, the Committee said.

Italy takes upon itself all the costs associated with the transit of its military equipment and personnel through Kazakhstan.

By Dinara Urazova