Kazakhstan's parliament on 20 May ratified an agreement with China on the peaceful resolution of border incidents and the prevention of dangerous military activities, RIA-Novosti reported the same day.

The agreement, which prohibits military personnel and equipment of either signatory state from intruding on the other's territory, was signed in Beijing on 23 December 2002.

The use of lasers is also prohibited if it would cause harm to the military personnel or civilian population of the other signatory.

The agreement now requires only the signature of President Nursultan Nazarbaev, which it is almost certain to receive in the wake of his recent trip to China.

(RFE/RL 21.v.04)