INTERVIEW-Nazarbayev says will not nationalise oil sector

By Michael Stott and Maria Golovnina

ASTANA, March 28 (Reuters) - Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told Reuters in an interview on Friday he had no intention of following an example set by some Latin American states and nationalising his nation's booming energy sector.

Lying on some of the world's biggest oil reserves, Kazakhstan has sought to build up its presence in the energy sector, alarming foreign investors and sparking talk among Kazakhstan-watchers about resource nationalism.

Nazarbayev said he had no desire to use tactics used by some nations in Latin America such as Venezuela to squeeze foreign companies any further.

"First of all, Kazakhstan has no desire to nationalise any assets like in Latin America," he said. "Kazakhstan does not want to nationalise or take anything away from anyone."

Fresh from a bitter row with Western oil majors over the huge Kashagan oilfield, Kazakhstan has long threatened to use tough measures if any foreign investor broke legislation or contractual obligations.

Following months of tough negotiations, Kazakhstan's government stripped Italy's Eni (ENI.MI) of its leading role in Kashagan, the world's top oil find in three decades, and doubled its own stake.

But Nazarbayev sought to reassure investors, calling the row over Kashagan unique because of specific issues around the project's management.

"It (Kashagan) is not a trend, it's a one-off case," he said. "In any case, any country has to defend its interests."