Kazakhstan, UK discuss military cooperation
By Aynur Jafarova
A military cooperation was in focus of a meeting between Kazakh Defense Minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and British Ambassador to Kazakhstan Carolyn Browne.
The sides discussed the current situation and development perspectives of the Kazakhstan-Britain military cooperation, NATO troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan and participation of Kazakh servicemen in the UN peacekeeping operations.
"In the frames of stability and security strengthening in the world, Kazakhstan has firm intentions to send its peacekeeping detachment in one of the UN mission," Dzhaksybekov said. "In this regard, the Defense Ministry implements the training of Kazakh peacekeeping detachment and works over legislation on participation of the Kazakh citizens in the UN missions."
Browne, in turn, said that Great Britain highly appreciates the combat readiness of Kazakhstan Armed Forces and would provide any assistance to Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Brigade Kazbrig in possible participation in the peacekeeping operations.
Minister Dzhaksybekov expressed gratitude to Britain servicemen who had participated in the 'Steppe Eagle-2012' special and tactical peacekeeping exercise.
Steppe Eagle is Kazbrig's annual peacekeeping exercise which took place at Illisky Training Area near Almaty on September 6-20, 2012. This marked the 10th anniversary of the involvement of British soldiers in the exercise which has evolved into the main peacekeeping exercise in Central Asia. It was conducted within the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace program.