Kazakhstan joins Global Partnership against Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction

Kazakhstan, Astana, Feb. 23 / Trend T. Nurmagambetov / Kazakhstan became the twenty fourth member of the G-8 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said today. "It was officially announced about Kazakhstan's admission to the Global Partnership as the recipient country during the meeting of Global Partnership experts in Washington," a statement said. Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction was established at the G-8 summit in Kananaskis (Canada) on, June 27, 2002. The validity of this initiative was originally designed for ten years - until 2012. A decision was made to extend the mandate of the Global Partnership after 2012, expanding its geography and scope at the G-8 summit in Deauville (France) in May 2011. The main areas of the cooperation include nuclear, radiological, and biological safety, employment of scholars, involved in sensitive areas, as well as assistance in the third countries' implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540. It urges the countries to refrain from supporting non-state entities that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and means of their delivery. Kazakhstan will continue its activity aimed at further strengthening of national, regional and international security through participation in the Global Partnership. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az