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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,

Let me welcome you to Moscow.

We are acquainted, but this is your first trip to this country as head of state. I would like to congratulate you on assuming this office. You know the level of our relations. You have done much yourself to promote Russia-Kazakhstan contacts to this level. Of course, credit for this primarily goes to the first President of Kazakhstan, but the whole team has worked for this goal and we have achieved a lot.

Naturally, we are not just partners but are the closest allies – our relations are making steady headway both in international organisations and on the bilateral plane where we are achieving serious, tangible results that affect the living standards of our people. I am convinced that this visit with your representative team will help consolidate our multifaceted allied relations.

Welcome, we are very happy to see you.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Thank you for your congratulations, Mr President.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for organising this visit so quickly after our telephone conversation and, of course, convey to you greetings and best wishes from our first President, yelbasy [national leader] Nursultan Nazarbayev.

You just mentioned his contribution to the development and consolidation of neighbourly ties between our states. We started with small things. I remember taking part in the drafting of the 1992 treaty in the move to allied relations. We understand well what allied relations and the ensuing commitments are all about. In this context, I think the treaty that you signed in Yekaterinburg – on allied and partner relations – certainly laid a very serious foundation for close cooperation in all areas, including the economy, politics, international relations and, of course, humanitarian contacts.

Our relations are continuously improving and can serve as a model, as Mr Nazarbayev likes to put it. Therefore, my task is to ensure the continuity of this strategy, especially as regards our relations with the Russian Federation. I will do all I can to consolidate the achieved potential of friendship between our peoples.

Indeed, these are relations that fully meet the national interests of our states and peoples. I understand this very well; so I believe we have a lot to do. Indeed, there is no end to the work in this regard.

Vladimir Putin: Please convey my greetings to Mr Nazarbayev.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: I will be pleased to do so.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

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