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Mr Putin and Mr Nazarbayev discussed the results of the preparations for The Year of Kazakhstan in Russia by the governments of the two nations. The idea of staging such a large-scale event was expressed by the Kazakh president during the summit in St. Petersburg last June. The heads of states issued respective instructions. Mr Putin and Mr Nazarbayev expressed their satisfaction with the work being done by their governments and made a decision to officially declare the year 2003 as The Year of Kazakhstan in Russia. In accordance with that decision the opening ceremony will take place in Moscow.
In the course of the extended conversation that followed, the heads of state discussed a number of practical issues related to bilateral and international cooperation. In particular, the sides expressed their opinions on enhancing interaction within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and EurAsEC. When discussing international issues, special attention was given to the situation involving Iraq. President Putin and President Nazarbayev noted the complete alignment of the two nations’ stances concerning the ways to settle the Iraqi problem.
On the same day President Putin sent Mr Nazarbayev a message expressing his gratitude for the congratulations on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
The message said, in part:
“I would like to emphasise the special prominence of the recently signed documents to transform the Collective Security Treaty into an international regional organisation. This political decision of the CST nations’ leaders, undoubtedly, will contribute to further stability in the vast Eurasian space.
We are aiming at continuing joint efforts towards increasing the effectiveness of the Eurasian Economic Community, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and enhancing confidence measures in Asia in general. We regard Kazakhstan as the closest and most consistent ally of Russia”.
October 22, 2002