Withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan is no catastrophy for Central Asia: Nazarbayev

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has expressed confidence that nothing catastrophic will happen in Central Asia after withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, Tengrinews.kz reports. "Our Central Asian region, just as the world in general, is entering the era of changes. In this relation, the problems of regional security are very timely. I will put it straight: I don't believe that there is any countdown timer on in relation to NATO troops withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014. I am confident that nothing catastrophic will happen to our region," Nazarbayev said at the 11th Eurasian Media Forum. According to the President, the role of Central-Asian region is underestimated in the world. "Frankly speaking, there is a strong momentum of the past in the global perception of Central Asia. One of the reasons is that archaic stereotypes of some of the media have not been overcome yet. Nobody sees or want to see the changed realities of our region," Kazakhstan President said. "Central Asia is not a God forsaken outskirts; it is a new a dynamic region of Eurasia and the world. Kazakhstan and other countries located in Central Asia have proved that they are capable of sovereign and consistent development," Nazarbayev stressed. The Eurasian Media Forum is held in Astana Media Center. The participants are discussing the current global and regional issues, security issues in Central Asia after withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, as well as the situation in the Middle East, prospects of the Eurasian Economic Union, information security and media trends in the 21st century. Besides, the discussions cover real prospects of green economy in Kazakhstan. The Forum is participated by outstanding international politicians, economists, journalists, public and political leaders, as well as representatives of media, political and expert organizations from over 60 countries. By Baubek Konyrov