Speaking to journalists, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted the symbolism of his first visit as President of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation and stressed the special nature of relations between the two countries.
- Let me express my gratitude to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir V. Putin for the invitation to visit Moscow on an official visit, and also to thank our Russian friends for the warm hospitality and cordial welcome. The visit reflects a mutual striving for further development of alliance and strengthening of friendly relations between the nations of Kazakhstan and Russia, the Head of State said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told those present about the decision of the First President of Kazakhstan - Elbasa Nursultan Nazarbayev to step down from office and emphasized that it is a vivid example of political wisdom and high responsibility for Kazakhstan’s future.
- This historic step for our country has received great respect from the entire world community. At present, Nursultan Nazarbayev enjoys wide recognition and support from all the people of Kazakhstan. He will continue his multifaceted activities as the Security Council President and the Chairman of the ruling party Nur Otan, in the status of Elbasy, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Head of State also stressed that his work as President begins in the “golden era” of Kazakh-Russian cooperation, and expressed his firm intention to continue the strategic course to strengthen the comprehensive dialogue between Nur-Sultan and Moscow and ensure the continuity of the previously reached agreements.
In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev indicated that there are more than 9,000 enterprises with Russian capital in Kazakhstan, actualizing about 100 joint projects in petrochemistry, light industry, agriculture, automotive and railway engineering.
The President of Kazakhstan highlighted the issues of industrial cooperation and investment cooperation between the two countries, which were the subject of negotiations with the Russian side.
- A new impetus to work in this direction will be given by the Program of Joint Actions endorsed today by the parties within Kazakh-Russian industrial cooperation. Its implementation will allow increasing the production of tractors, buses, cars and other vehicles, as well as creating additional jobs in our country, the Head of State said.
Noting the particular geographical location, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the transport and transit potential of the two countries an important competitive advantage to be effectively used.
- One of the primary feeder roads is Western Europe - Western China highway, which will connect the East and West of Eurasia through the territories of our countries. We have also focused on the issues of improving the efficiency of the border checkpoints. This will facilitate the movement of our citizens across the border, and will also contribute to the development of interregional trade, the President of Kazakhstan emphasized.
In addition, the Head of State talked more specifically about the prospects for cooperation in the fuel and energy sector and cooperation between the two countries in the military-technical and space fields, as well as on provision of gas supply for Baikonur town.
Speaking of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia in tourism, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed to the great growth potential in this area and the need to develop tourism, transport and logistics infrastructures, as well as popularize Kazakhstan and Russia’s resorts.
The President of Kazakhstan concentrated on widening bilateral cultural and humanitarian contacts.
- During the talks, the sides discussed opening of a joint educational institution of applied sciences in Kazakhstan, consideration has been given to the possibility of training Kazakhstan’s artists at the St. Petersburg House of Music and holding the Hermitage Days at the National Museum of Kazakhstan, the Head of State said.
In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed satisfaction with the results of the past negotiations and confidence that the agreements reached will further strengthen cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia based on friendship, trust, good-neighborliness and alliance.
In his presidential speech, Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for having paid his first official foreign visit to the Russian Federation.
Following the official visit, the following documents were adopted and inked:
1. Joint Statement by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin;
2. The Program of Joint Action in industrial cooperation of Kazakhstan and Russia;
3. Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the Government of Russia on gas supply to Baikonur complex;
4. Bilateral cooperation plan between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Defense and Aerospace Industry and Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade in the field of scientific and technical cooperation of enterprises.
