Official Statements:

Welcoming remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Dr. Marat Tazhin, at the opening of the third meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

Dear participants,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I would like to welcome all the delegates and express our appreciation to the Co-Chairs of the Global Initiative Combat Nuclear Terrorism for their cooperation in the preparation of this meeting.

Terrorism involving the use of nuclear and radiological weapons is one of the greatest and most dangerous challenges to international security faced by the world community. The threat of such actions today is real as never before. To a large extent, this is due to the desire on the part of certain nations and terrorist organizations to acquire nuclear weapons and their components. Regrettably, the world's experience has been that those who had made terrorism and violence, their instrument of choice in attaining their goals, will take advantage of any opportunity to get weapons of mass destruction.

Over the recent years, the international community has taken a number of steps to counter that threat. In particular, within the United Nations international agreements and actions have been adopted requiring states to implement specific measures to prevent terrorist from getting hold of weapons of mass destruction, among them the United Nations Nuclear Terrorism Convention and the United Nations Security Council resolutions 1373 and 1540.

The United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly at its sixty-first session and calling for enhanced international cooperation in the efforts to prevent terrorism and identify illicit trafficking in different types of weapons, including nuclear weapons, has provided a powerful impetus to anti-terrorist cooperation. Various international programs, designed to develop cooperation in the interception of illegal transfers of nuclear and radioactive materials, are being implemented quite successfully.

In that context, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, proposed by President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President George Bush of the United States in July 2006, represents an effective way to join efforts within the established framework of cooperation in that special area.

Kazakhstan views the Global Initiative as an important element needed to strengthen the existing non-proliferation regimes. Its purpose is to step up cooperation of the world community to prevent nuclear components from finding their way into the hands of terrorists.

Special significance is attached to the efforts to ensure reliable control over the use, storage and circulation of nuclear materials, physical protection of nuclear installations and the development of effective means to reduce dangerous effects of potential nuclear terrorist attacks.

It is also important to improve the legal framework of international cooperation and national systems designed to prevent any criminal activities involving the movement of nuclear materials.

Main principles and areas of activities of partner nations, approved at previous meetings, provide an opportunity to deepen their cooperation and increase the number of participants by welcoming into the Initiative new nations willing to make their own contribution. As for Kazakhstan, we intend to make specific proposals to be included in the work plan of the Global Initiative.

The Republic of Kazakhstan reaffirms its determination to actively combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We express our readiness to support measures by the international community to fight nuclear terrorism using all available assets. The adoption of effective measures to counter and prevent terrorism is a priority of Kazakhstan's internal and external policies.

The national regulatory and legal framework, established to address that phenomenon, allows us to counter terrorism and prevent and curb terrorist activities in the country. A meeting of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, held in Almaty in January of 2005, gave an opportunity to highlight the track record of Kazakhstan, the countries of the CIS and the regional organizations in combating terrorism.

Distinguished delegates,

Since its independence, Kazakhstan has made a historic contribution to the enhancement of the non-proliferation regime and disarmament. Its decision to renounce its nuclear arsenal, the fourth largest in the world, and its firm commitment to the implementation of its international obligations have reflected genuine concern for the wellbeing of the people of Kazakhstan, ensured security and created conditions for economic growth.

Today, Kazakhstan serves as an example of self-restraint, exercised voluntarily in the interests of peace and stability in the world. We have acceded to such comprehensive non-proliferation instruments as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and a number of other agreements in that area.

The Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia was signed by regional states in Semipalatinsk on 8th of September, in close cooperation with the United Nations. We consider that Treaty a tangible contribution to the enhancement of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the efforts to prevent terrorist from obtaining weapons of mass destruction.

Continuing its efforts to avert the nuclear threat, Kazakhstan, at the same time, recognizes the right of any state to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, under strict international control. We develop our cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In accordance with the Agreement on the Application of Safeguards, all nuclear installations in Kazakhstan have been placed under the IAEA control and all nuclear activities are being carried out in compliance with the Agency's rules and standards.

This year, Kazakhstan has ratified the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement, which expands the set of IAEA instruments used to verify nuclear activities. On 10 May 2007, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement to establish an international uranium enrichment center in the Russian city of Angarsk. The establishment of multinational uranium enrichment centers complies with the purposes and objectives of the Global Initiative.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the need to put up a reliable shield to prevent terrorist from getting hold of weapons of mass destruction or their components that might be used in their production. This important task can be dealt with only by all states joining their efforts. In this regard, Kazakhstan is ready to cooperate closely with nations participating in this meeting in advancing the Global Initiative.

Thank you for your attention.

Date of issue: 2007-06-11