UNIPATH STAFF
Stability and security were the major topics of April 2020 discussions between Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Amid talks about trade and security cooperation, Tokayev and Pompeo discussed joint action to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus in light of Kazakhstan’s long common border with China.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) outlined how it could help Kazakhstan fight the disease, in cooperation with the Kazakhstani Health Ministry, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.
USAID’s plans included opening laboratories for large-scale testing against the virus, preventing and controlling infections in medical centers, and encouraging the use of rapid response teams to monitor the pandemic.
In addition, USAID allocated $800,000 to Kazakhstan for anti-pandemic efforts, and the U.S. military donated masks, overalls, gloves and glasses to the country.
Kazakhstan occupies a special place in the U.S. strategy toward Central Asia. The U.S. Department of State emphasizes security and economic cooperation with Kazakhstan and other countries in the region that face threats from instability in Afghanistan. Sources: Inbusiness.kz, Regnum, Ktk.kz, Zakon.kz, Eurasia Daily