ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 25. Japan will provide a grant of $7.4 million to the victims of nuclear tests in Kazakhstan’s Semey, Trend reports.
The Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, and Japan, Takeshi Iwaya, signed the corresponding document today in Astana.
“Today we signed an intergovernmental document on providing Kazakhstan with a $7.4 million grant to help those affected by nuclear tests,” Murat Nurtleu told reporters.
He noted that our countries jointly call on the international community to renounce nuclear weapons. In this context, the visit of the Japanese Foreign Minister on the eve of the anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site takes on special significance.
“This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedy, and next year will mark 35 years since the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site,” Murat Nurtleu said.
In July of this year, it became known that Japan intends to provide a grant to address the consequences of nuclear tests in Semey.
Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takeshi Iwaya, arrived on his first official visit to Astana. As part of the visit, negotiations are planned with the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu.
Japan is among the top ten largest investors in Kazakhstan. More than $9 billion in direct investments have been attracted to the country. Last year, the mutual trade turnover between the countries approached $2 billion.
