Kazakh president, UN under-secretary-general discuss disarmament cooperation

ASTANA. Aug 28 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and UN Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu have discussed the prospects for all-round cooperation in maintaining regional and international security and promoting disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Tokayev's press service said on Wednesday.

When greeting his guest, Tokayev said that the UN plays an exclusive role in tackling key modern-day problems and that there is no alternative to the organization.

"We pursue a principled approach to disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These issues are becoming particularly acute and important in the context of the developments unfolding in the world today," he said.

"Kazakhstan is committed to close cooperation with UN institutions and sees this organization as a universal international entity that has no alternative," Tokayev said.

The International Day Against Nuclear Tests is marked on August 29, he said.

"This is very important date meant to remind all of humanity of the danger of nuclear tests and the danger of using nuclear weapons," he said.

Nakamitsu, in turn, highly assessed Astana's leadership in the global nuclear arms non-proliferation process, adding that Kazakhstan's role as a middle power has been growing.

The sides also exchanged views on key international issues.