[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 47 (Monday, November 24, 1997)]
[Pages 1853-1854]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 1854]]

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.