US praises Kazakhstan’s multi-vector policy

    By Daniar Mukhtarov
    The US appreciates Kazakhstan’s multivector foreign and economic policy, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Hoagland told reporters on October 27 in Astana.
    Hoagland said the stance of the US is same for all countries that produce oil and gas, adding that the US wants to have a predictable energy market.
    He was responding to a request by reporters to comment on a recent statement by the Energy Ministry of Kazakhstan.
    Earlier, the ministry had said that due to the sanctions against Russia, it is studying optional routes for oil exports as alternatives to Russia.
    In particular, the Kazakh ministry said China is potentially the largest market for Kazakhstan's oil.
    Another alternative is Iran, and the third is exporting through Azerbaijan.
    Hoagland said he is unable to predict the kind of projects that could be proposed in the future, but the US will definitely be ready to work with Kazakhstan, which is considered as a reliable partner by the US.
    He went on to note the US is pleased Kazakhstan has a significant role on the global energy market.
    Hoagland said that today other ways of producing the energy are being actively developed other than hydrocarbons, in particular in renewable sources and nuclear power.
    He noted that today, Kazakhstan is playing an important role in the development of these resources.
    Hoagland said he met on October 27 with Energy Minister of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Shkolnik to review such issues.
    He said the theme of the upcoming EXPO in Astana will be the energy of the future, while adding the US for its part, is encouraging its firms to support the event, according to Trend.