G. Robertson in the Academy of Sciences

[17:12] 10/07/2003, Kazakhstan Today
http://engNews.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=294442

George Robertson, NATO secretary general, officially visiting Kazakhstan has met representatives of scientific research circles of Kazakhstan in the National Academy of Sciences of RK.

At the meeting it was observed that the NATO scientific programme provided a support of international cooperation between scientists from the organisation member states and scientists from CIS with the help of various mechanisms of assistance. In particular, it means scientific scholarships, a support of research infrastructure, an execution of research projects as per the programme "Science for peace". Currently the NATO committee for science has supported 30 research groups from Kazakhstan, cooperating with 19 countries.

During a contestation for research grants as per the programme "Science for peace" the NATO scientific committee approved two projects, one of which was directed at the research of radiological situation in Sarzhal district of Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground.

The second realised project "Virtual silk way" is directed at a provision of good quality and cheap access to the internet for scientific and educative organisations of Central Asia and Caucasus.

As per another programme "Prospects 2100" Kazakhstani young scientists have a possibility to aspire for 200 scholarships per year to get internships in the laboratories of NATO members countries.

Besides, in order to provide the security of oil & gas projects and lower risks, including that of terrorist acts, during the 2nd session of special commission for power partnership with the USA, which will take place this September in Washington, and agreement between the government of RK and the US agency for trade and development on a grant for the technical and economic assessment of the oil & gas facilities physical protection project is planned to be signed.