Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The talks took place during Mikhail Mishustin's working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
From the transcript:
O. Bektenov: Dear Mikhail Vladimirovich! Dear friends!
I am glad to welcome you to Astana. Welcome!
I would like to say that thanks to the efforts of the leaders of our countries, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the allied relations and strategic partnership are developing very successfully and dynamically.
The state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Russia last November gave new impetus to this cooperation. We are paying special attention to the upcoming state visit of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to Kazakhstan and are preparing for it. We are confident that this visit will contribute to the further deepening and expansion of the allied relations between our countries.
Russia has traditionally been one of our country's main trade and economic partners. Trade turnover between our countries has approached $30 billion. Mutual investment is growing. Over the past 20 years, Russian business has invested over $28 billion in Kazakhstan's economy. In turn, Kazakhstani businesses have invested approximately $9 billion in the Russian economy over the same period. Russian businesses are actively operating in Kazakhstan.
More than 22,000 enterprises with Russian participation—almost a third of all companies with foreign participation. This is a very significant presence of Russian business. And we are very happy about this. We are ready to explore new areas of cooperation. I am confident that all the opportunities exist for this.
Dear Mikhail Vladimirovich, I would like to assure you once again that the Government of Kazakhstan is ready to make every effort to intensify, deepen, and expand our cooperation.
M. Mishustin: Thank you, dear Olzhas Abaevich.
First of all, I would like to sincerely thank all our Kazakhstani friends for the traditionally warm welcome given to our delegation. And, of course, I would like to convey to you the best wishes of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
I also take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and all Kazakhstanis on this historic event—the adoption of the new Constitution. The referendum results confirmed the people of Kazakhstan's support for the course of the President of Kazakhstan, the esteemed Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, to build a modern, prosperous state and improve the well-being of the republic's citizens.
Kazakhstan is a strategic partner and ally of Russia. Our relations are time-tested. They are based on the principles of friendship, good neighborliness, mutual respect, and consideration of each other's interests.
Following the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan, the esteemed Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, to Russia last November, important agreements were reached on developing our multifaceted cooperation. Most importantly, a comprehensive economic cooperation program through 2030 was approved, and we, the governments of Russia and Kazakhstan, will ensure the precise and prompt implementation of the decisions made by our leaders.
Russia is one of Kazakhstan's leading foreign trade partners. You mentioned trade turnover. We occupy a leading position in terms of direct investment in Kazakhstan's national economy. I believe there is also great potential for launching new joint projects in various economic sectors: energy, industry, transport infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy. Our intergovernmental commission is actively working on these issues.
We also pay special attention to the humanities, particularly in education. The number of Kazakhstanis pursuing higher education in Russia is growing year after year. Leading Russian universities have branches in Kazakhstan. Last September, the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, affiliated with the Dostoevsky Omsk State University, opened its doors. I actually visited it at the opening.
In addition to the bilateral visit, you and I, dear Olzhas Abayevich, will participate in a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Digital Kazakhstan International Forum, which will be held tomorrow in Shymkent. Russia fully shares the priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union and is ready to work together to further strengthen integration in the interests of the citizens of Russia and Kazakhstan.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.