OREANDA-NEWS.  December 26, 2014. Draft Law "On Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Organisation for Animal Health to establish a sub-regional coordination office of the World Organisation for Animal Health for FMD in Astana" has been approved at the plenary session of the Majilis.

"Kazakhstan has been a member of the International Office of Epizootics since 1993. The International Office of Epizootics has activated its cooperation in recent years, and Office experts have held three missions in Kazakhstan, in particular, on assessment of the veterinary system, and provided a report on the results of the function analysis. Agreement on the establishment of Subregional coordination office of the World Organisation for Animal Health for FMD in Astana was signed in Astana last year," Agriculture Minister Asylzhan Mamytbekov said submitting the bill.

According to him, the organization will monitor the spread of FMD and ensure cooperation between the veterinary authorities to combat foot and mouth disease in conjunction with the regional commissions in Central Asia. There will also be the bank of vaccines and we will be able to purchase high-quality vaccines.

Majilis has approved the draft law "On ratification of the Amendments to articles 25 and 26 of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes".

"The Convention seeks to provide a legal basis for a stable and reliable cooperation and achievement of sustainable, equitable and reasonable use of transboundary surface and ground waters. Kazakhstan has acceded to the Convention in 2000. The significance of the Water Convention for Kazakhstan is not in doubt. It suffices to note that almost half of the surface water resources come to Kazakhstan from neighboring countries," Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Asylzhan Mamytbekov said submitting the bill.

According to him, the amendments to articles 25 and 26 of the Convention provide for the possibility of accession of countries which are not members of the European Economic Commission. Ratification of the amendments will extend the possibilities of Kazakhstan for cooperation with neighboring countries, in particular with China.