Kazakhstan does not want to join NATO

Kazakhstan does not have plans to join NATO, Kazakh Foreign Ministry press secretary Adil Abishev told Interfax on Thursday, commenting on allegations aired on Russian television on Wednesday that the country is aspiring to join NATO. Abishev said Kazakhstan is pursuing "comprehensive cooperation with NATO under a number of international programs," he said. Kazakhstan joined the NATO program Operational Capabilities Concept in February 2004. Among the CIS countries, Ukraine is also engaged in the program. Astana opened a special informational center as part of the program. Kazakhstan is also involved in NATO's Partnership For Peace program.