    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 18, 1997]
    [Pages 1602-1603]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations
    November 18, 1997

        During their November 18, 1997 meeting in Washington, D.C.,
    Presidents Clinton and Nazarbayev underscored the special importance
    they attach to the close and productive relationship between the United
    States and Kazakhstan.
        Deepening this partnership is key to promoting Kazakhstan's
    security, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and
    democratic development, as well as the stability and economic prosperity
    of the region as a whole.
        The two Presidents restated their strong commitment to the goals set
    forth in the ``Charter on Democratic Partnership Between the United
    States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan,'' signed by the two
    Presidents in February 1994. Recognizing the growing economic and
    commercial ties between the two nations, the two Presidents expressed
    their strong support for the ``Action Program on Economic Partnership,''
    signed in Washington, November 18, 1997, by President Nazarbayev and
    Vice

    [[Page 1603]]

    President Gore, in their capacity as co-chairmen of the U.S.-Kazakhstan
    Joint Commission. Kazakhstan's commitment to accelerate reform, as
    outlined in the Action Program, will advance the development of a free
    market economy and underscores the great potential benefits of
    investment in the country's natural resources and industrial
    infrastructure. The United States is committed to support economic
    reform in Kazakhstan through a robust program of technical assistance
    and cooperation.
        The two Presidents noted the important role played by U.S.
    commercial firms in Kazakhstan's economy since 1991. Extensive U.S.
    investment in the development and transport of Kazakhstan's energy
    resources has particularly contributed to the mutual goal of rapid
    energy development in the Caspian region.
        Presidents Clinton and Nazarbayev agreed on the need to adopt a
    Caspian Sea legal regime that establishes a clear division of property
    rights based on the division of seabed resources. The construction of
    multiple pipeline routes to export hydrocarbons to world markets,
    including pipelines across the Caspian Sea, will advance economic
    development in Kazakhstan and promote regional stability and security.
        The two Presidents agreed on the need to strengthen regional
    cooperation, including through the establishment of an east-west
    Eurasian transport corridor and stronger efforts to resolve the
    environmental crisis in the Aral Sea basin.
        President Clinton welcomed Kazakhstan's efforts to integrate itself
    into the global economy and pledged continued U.S. support for
    Kazakhstani accession to the World Trade Organization, on commercial
    terms generally applied to newly acceding members.
        The two Presidents reviewed Kazakhstan's progress towards creating a
    society based on democracy, the rule of law and respect for human
    rights. President Clinton expressed strong support for the holding of
    free and fair parliamentary elections in 1999 and presidential elections
    in 2000, which will serve as a demonstration of Kazakhstan's commitment
    to democratic principles.
        Presidents Clinton and Nazarbayev noted the positive evolution of
    defense cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan, as well as
    the continuing progress in Kazakhstan's integration into emerging
    European security structures, including NATO's Partnership for Peace and
    the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The successful CENTRASBAT-97
    peacekeeping exercise that took place in September 1997 is a concrete
    example of cooperation aimed at promoting regional stability. The two
    Presidents renewed their commitment to regional security cooperation,
    including enhanced bilateral military-to-military cooperation, as
    reflected in the Defense Cooperation and Military Contact Plans for
    1998, signed during President Nazarbayev's visit.
        The two Presidents praised the extensive U.S.-Kazakhstani
    cooperation on issues related to non-proliferation of nuclear and non-
    nuclear weapons. During President Nazarbayev's visit to Washington,
    agreements were signed on Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, Defense
    Cooperation on Counter-Proliferation, and Long-term Disposition of Aktau
    BN-350 Nuclear Material, among other agreements.
        President Clinton welcomed President Nazarbayev's firm commitment to
    prevent the transfer of technology and materials associated with weapons
    of mass destruction, and sophisticated military technologies, to
    countries that pose a threat to regional and global security. The United
    States and Kazakhstan agreed to establish a regular experts' dialogue on
    non-proliferation issues.
        The two Presidents also discussed the serious threats posed by
    international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and international
    criminal activity and committed their governments to expand cooperation
    in combating them.

    Note: The related memorandum of November 17 on the Kazakhstan-U.S.
    agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation is listed in Appendix D at the
    end of this volume.