December 6, 2022
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United States of America on the occasion of the annual Kazakhstan-United States Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue.
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On December 5, 2022, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu welcomed First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kairat Umarov and a Kazakhstani delegation to Washington for the annual Kazakhstan-United States Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD). The Kazakhstan-U.S. ESPD was established as an annual platform to discuss bilateral and regional issues and advance shared priorities.
Building on the strength of 30 years of diplomatic relations, the Kazakhstani and U.S. delegations discussed regional geopolitical issues, global nonproliferation efforts, counterterrorism and other security cooperation, the diversification of energy and trade infrastructure, climate change and the environment, education, as well as the importance of respect for human rights. The Kazakhstani side highlighted the need to establish permanent normal trade relations between the two countries. Assistant Secretary Lu also reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Kazakhstan’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
First Deputy Foreign Minister Umarov underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment to implementing the reform agenda. The United States reiterated its strong support for President Tokayev’s political, economic, and social reforms which would have far-reaching benefits for the people of Kazakhstan.
Both leaders affirmed the importance of the Dialogue and the intention to hold the next ESPD in 2023. The two sides also discussed the importance of continued high-level visits over the next year.
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