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President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev: Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev],

I want to wish you a sincere welcome to Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan.

Our countries have good relations. Both our past and our future have their foundations in the fraternal ties and the strong friendship and alliance that exist between our countries. Kazakhstan has held firmly to this line and over these last years has developed this policy in its relations with Russia as an independent country. You have taken this into consideration, and it is a great honour for us that your first visit following your inauguration should be to Kazakhstan.

I thank you on behalf of our people and on my own behalf, and I sincerely wish you good health and great success in your work.

Sports victories have marked the start of your work. I hope there will be many more of them and we will be able to rejoice together. We in Kazakhstan have been raised in two cultures. Our past lives and today’s reality show that this is a benefit to both countries.

I wish you welcome.

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Thank you very much, Nursultan Abishevich [Nazarbayev],

This visit to Kazakhstan is not mere chance, of course, but is indeed a sign of the cooperation and the special relationship of brotherhood and trust that exists between the peoples of Russia and Kazakhstan. I think this initiative marks a good continuation of everything that you and President Putin have achieved over these last years. I think that our talks today will give us the opportunity to build on all of the most important aspects of the intergovernmental and humanitarian ties that bind our countries.

I would also like to thank you for such a genuinely cordial atmosphere and warm reception. This being my first official state visit, I find this also very important and pleasing. Everything I have seen today, everything we will be discussing, is proof of the special relationship of trust that we have.

Nursultan Nazarbayev: Thank you. This reflects our attitude towards Russia. The very fact that this, your first visit, is taking place is of historical importance in itself.