Kazakhstan is keen on boosting cooperation with the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations for mutual benefit, Ambassador and head of theKazakhstan delegation to the ASEAN Askhat T. Orazabay has said.

Presented his credentials to the association’s Secretary-General LeLuong Minh in Jakarta on January 24, the diplomat said Kazakhstan -one of the largest countries in Asia and member of the ShanghaiCooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Economic Cooperation Organisation(ECO) – highly values the role of ASEAN in the region and the world.

He expressed his hope that the two sides will beef upcooperation through joint activities as well as at internationalorganisations.

He pledged that he will spare noeffort to make contribution to fostering ASEAN’s relations with the SCOin security and with the ECO in economics.

Secretary-General Le Luong Minh congratulated Orazabay on his newposition and lauded his initiatives in bolstering bilateral and regionalcooperation between Kazakhstan and ASEAN, as well as between ASEANand the SCO and the ECO.

He said he hopes thediplomat will work closely and effectively with the ASEAN Secretariatand ASEAN’s Committee of Permanent Representatives.

To date, Kazakhstan has set up representative delegations in fiveASEAN member countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA