Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President of Kazakhstan Kassym Jomart-Tokayev: Mr President,

I am delighted to welcome you to our capital on this state visit. This event is highly significant for the development of our strategic partnership and allied relations between our countries. I believe it is also important for ensuring security and stability on the Eurasian continent, as our countries essentially serve as pillars y in the vast Eurasian territory.

I must admit, we have been preparing for your visit. I would like to express my appreciation to the Presidential Executive Office and the Government. Many people were involved on our side. I believe that the visit has been prepared to a high standard, and I would like to highlight two things.

First, our joint statement on the seven pillars of strategic alliance and relations between our countries. Seven is a good number in itself, and our people believe it to be a good number for a foundation. Especially since the document itself is quite unconventional. I will provide more details during the news conference. I worked on this document myself and made some changes. I think it will go down in the history of Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation and will have great importance.

Second, the signing of the agreements on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. I want to express my gratitude for your personal support of this project. I think there is no need to explain the strategic importance of an agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant. It is obvious.

Our nations are friends and brothers. We have much in common, including our rich historical legacy, cultural traditions and mentality. We talked extensively about this during our informal meeting yesterday, recalling history, etc. So, I want to thank you once again for this visit. It is very important to us. I believe it is equally significant to Russia. We will work on serving the core interests of our peoples. They are interested in friendship and cooperation between our states. We all need peace to progress and prosper.

Russia, as I will say at the news conference, is showing phenomenal results. With such abundant natural resources and high-quality human capital, I believe Russia’s future will be bright and full of promise, especially under your strong and wise leadership.

Kazakhstan is also demonstrating strong growth momentum. According to the International Monetary Fund, this year, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the economy will reach $360 billion. I believe that is a very positive outcome.

And here, it is only fair to highlight the great importance of economic cooperation between our countries. Overall trade is reaching record levels – around $30 billion. I would also particularly note that Russia is currently the largest direct investor in our economy, with $29 billion. We will continue working in this vein.

Thank you again, Mr Putin.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Tokayev,

First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation. We had the pleasure and good fortune of hosting you last year for a state visit. Much was accomplished then to take further steps towards deepening and expanding our strategic partnership – a partnership truly founded on strong traditions of friendship and mutual respect, built over centuries of our peoples living side by side, including within a single state. I am confident that our work over these days, today and tomorrow, will also be highly productive.

Thank you very much for yesterday evening, which we were able to spend together in an informal setting, discussing many important and promising areas of our cooperation.

It is wonderful that our delegation is here during the holidays. In Russia, Kurban Bayram is celebrated by citizens who follow Islam. I am aware that this holiday is also celebrated in Kazakhstan, although you have a different name for it, correct?

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Qurban Ait. Qurban means ‘sacrifice.’

Vladimir Putin: The essence of the holiday remains unchanged. My warmest greetings to you and to all the citizens of Kazakhstan, and I wish you all the very best.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Indeed, our economic relations are progressing very successfully. We are closely following developments in this domain in the fraternal republic of Kazakhstan, and we congratulate you on your achievements, which are evident.

Russia, for its part, continues to rank fourth in the world in terms of purchasing power parity, following China.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: First in Europe.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, that is true: a strong position, despite attempts by some of our ill-wishers to undermine it. Since their economies are not performing well, we continue to hold fourth place globally, following China, the United States and India. I hope this also serves as an important factor in our cooperation with fraternal Kazakhstan.

As you have mentioned, Russia is one of Kazakhstan’s key trade and economic partners. Bilateral trade exceeded $28 billion last year, and this year, it has grown by more than nine percent in the first quarter alone, I believe.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: You have also mentioned Russian investment. Direct Russian investment has surpassed $29 billion – $29.4 billion, to be precise. At the same time, Kazakhstani investment in the Russian economy is also growing.

We have many areas of cooperation that are fundamentally important for both the Kazakhstani and Russian economies. These include mechanical engineering, energy, infrastructure, and, of course, culture and the humanitarian sphere. Young people from our country work and study in Kazakhstan, while thousands of Kazakhstani students are enrolled in Russian educational institutions, including universities.

We have discussed this repeatedly, and this process began thanks to your efforts and personal attention. I am referring to talent development, identifying gifted children, and educating them both in Russia and Kazakhstan through cooperation under the Sirius project.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Yes. I will address this specifically; I have prepared remarks for the news conference.

Vladimir Putin: Excellent. You are clearly invested in and supportive of this highly promising and important area of our cooperation.

Last year, the Days of Kazakhstani Culture were held in Russia, and we opened the event together at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

We also cooperate closely within international frameworks, including the CSTO and the EAEU. Today, we will have the opportunity to speak with our colleagues in the EAEU, where Kazakhstan currently holds the chairmanship, while Russia chairs the CSTO. We continue to collaborate at major international venues, including the UN and other international organisations. Military cooperation is also ongoing, serving as an important factor in strengthening regional stability and security.

Thank you once again for the invitation. I am confident that our meeting will be productive and substantive.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: Thank you, Mr Putin.

<…>