Mami discussed Central Asian security with NATO Parliamentary Assembly chairman

Kazakhstan Senate speaker Kairat Mami has had talks with chairman of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Karl Lamers, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the press-service of Kazakhstan Senate. “The participants of the meeting exchanged opinions on enhancement of security in Central Asia and activities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan,” the press-service writes. “Kazakhstan stands for active and large-scale assistance of all countries to implementation of reforms in Afghanistan,” Mami said at the meeting and noted that Kazakhstan will admit 1,000 of Afghan students to its high education institutions under a special education program. $50 million have been allocated for this program. Lamers spoke highly of Kazakhstan’s contribution into the international activities for restoration of Afghanistan. Kairat Mami also stated that Kazakhstan attached special importance to development of multi-dimensional and diversified cooperation with NATO. He noted the success of interaction in modernization of military forces and military education to comply with NATO standards, implementation of joint projects on demilitarization and enhancement of emergency civil planning. Kazakhstan’s parliamentary delegation has an observer status and permanently takes part in the annual sessions of NATO Parliamentary Assembly and various events of the organization. By Renat Tashkinbayev