Tokayev: “No disputed issues between Kazakhstan and Russia“
Tengrinews.kz - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a joint statement to the media following their talks in Astana, citing the Akorda press service.
Tokayev described Putin’s state visit as a historic event, marking a significant milestone in the development of Kazakh-Russian relations.
"For Kazakhstan, Russia is a strategic partner and a reliable ally. We are united by indestructible bonds of friendship, centuries of neighborly ties, and a shared history. Building on these enduring values, our states have established meaningful forward-looking relations. Kazakh-Russian cooperation has reached unprecedented heights, covering virtually all key areas of interaction. Political dialogue is progressing, trade and economic cooperation is expanding, and cultural and humanitarian ties are becoming more active. Today's meetings and negotiations, held in both narrow and expanded formats, were businesslike, candid, and genuinely productive," Tokayev stated.
The Kazakh leader highlighted the discussions' focus on deepening strategic partnerships and addressing a wide range of issues.
"Despite the complex geopolitical situation, our bilateral relations are dynamically advancing. Priority was given to economic issues during the talks. Key tasks include deepening cooperation in strategic sectors and increasing mutual trade. To this end, a package of intergovernmental documents has already been adopted, including the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Program for 2021-2025 and the Joint Action Plan for 2024-2026. Additionally, the updated Intergovernmental Program for Interregional and Cross-Border Cooperation was signed at the Interregional Cooperation Forum," Tokayev added.
Tokayev emphasized Russia's role as one of Kazakhstan's main trade partners and among the top three investors in the country’s economy. He noted that Kazakhstan has, for the first time, entered Russia’s top five trading partners, reflecting the strong potential for further collaboration.
"Mutual trade could surpass $30 billion within the next few years if we maintain this positive trend. Russian investments in Kazakhstan have exceeded $24 billion, with more than $4.5 billion invested in the past two years alone. Meanwhile, Kazakh investments in Russia have reached $8.5 billion. Approximately 24,000 companies with Russian participation operate in Kazakhstan, accounting for nearly half of all foreign-capital enterprises in the country. These figures confirm the high level of trust and mutual interest in strengthening our strategic ties," Tokayev explained.
The two countries have seen significant achievements in industrial cooperation, with 93 joint projects worth over $18 billion already launched. An additional 49 projects, valued at nearly $30 billion, are currently in progress.
The presidents also reviewed cooperation in multilateral formats and exchanged views on regional and global political issues.
"I am pleased to note our complete understanding on cooperation within key regional organizations such as the CIS, EAEU, SCO, CSTO, and CICA. Today, there is virtually no area where our countries do not collaborate. Importantly, there are no disputed issues between Kazakhstan and Russia. We always find balanced solutions that fully consider the interests of both nations. I express my gratitude to President Putin for his unwavering personal attention to strengthening the friendly relations between our peoples," Tokayev said.
Looking ahead, Tokayev underscored the extensive joint work planned for 2025, including significant anniversaries and new initiatives.
"We will implement numerous joint projects that I am confident will benefit both our citizens and businesses. In January next year, we will mark 20 years since the signing of the Treaty on the Kazakh-Russian State Border, one of the foundational interstate documents. In 2025, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 70th anniversary of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. We have agreed to hold celebrations for all these landmark dates. As you can see, our bilateral agenda is constantly being enriched with specific initiatives and exciting new projects," he said.
In conclusion, Tokayev expressed confidence that the positive outcomes of the day’s events would elevate the allied relations between Kazakhstan and Russia to a qualitatively new level.
Tokayev and Putin begin high-level talks in Astana