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President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Mr Putin, with utmost sincerity, I would like to welcome you to Astana on your state visit and to express my appreciation for the fact that we have managed to come to terms and can now see you in our capital. This visit is, without a doubt, a critically important event in relations between our countries which rely on a robust foundation of strategic partnership and alliance.

I carefully read your article published today in the mass media of Kazakhstan. Thank you. In turn, I had an article of mine published in the Russian media as well. I think we have outlined in great detail, as if in unison, our approaches to the future-oriented cooperation. In my article I underscored the fact that Kazakhstan has been and remains Russia’s reliable strategic partner and ally in these challenging times.

The agenda of your visit is quite extensive. Prior to your visit, members of the Government were discussing the items on the agenda. There are no disagreements, which is good.

I think we will adopt very important documents today, about 20 agreements in all, which will certainly give an extra powerful boost to our neighbourly cooperation. Now, I would like to turn the floor over to you.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

Mr Tokayev, colleagues,

I would like to begin by thanking the President for extending such a grand welcome to us.

Mr Tokayev, we meet with you regularly and have become accustomed to a working environment. Such a solemn setting is somewhat unusual. Thank you very much.

We are friends and partners, and everything is unfolding in the most dynamic and best way possible. We are in constant communication. I look forward to seeing you later this year, as it is the custom, at an informal CIS-themed New Year’s Eve meeting in St Petersburg. And, of course, I also look forward to seeing you at the anniversary celebrations on the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War which is our common Victory.

Indeed, a whole range of documents have been prepared for today’s event, today’s talks. There are joint statements and a whole package of documents covering various areas of our activities. Russia remains one of Kazakhstan’s largest trade and economic partners with trade reaching nearly $28.5 billion last year and growing. The accumulated investment in Kazakhstan’s economy stands at an impressive $13 billion.

We very much value our humanitarian ties which we promote through civil society organisations, as well as education, science and culture institutions. The fact that the largest number of foreign students studying in Russia come from Kazakhstan says much.

The interregional cooperation is making great strides as well. Another event is taking place in Ufa today. I would like to thank you for the great emphasis that you consistently place on promoting Russia-Kazakhstan ties. We feel it, and we feel the attention that the President of Kazakhstan attaches to this work that we find of utmost importance for us. We regard Kazakhstan as our loyal and reliable friend and closest ally.

Thank you.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Thank you, Mr Putin.