Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev convened in Astana on July 3 ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The meeting began with a cultural interlude, as Putin and Tokayev paused to witness a Kazakh folk musical band before proceeding to their discussions. Tokayev welcomed Putin, recalling their pivotal meeting in November as a historic milestone that set the stage for enhanced cooperation.
"Since your historic visit, bilateral cooperation has been on a positive trajectory. The projects initiated during your visit reflect the strategic nature of our interaction and serve the interests of both Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation," Tokayev stated.
Putin reciprocated by emphasizing the substantial growth in trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan, which has reached nearly $30bn. He pointed out Russia's role as one of Kazakhstan's principal economic partners, with trade volumes demonstrating a robust 17% increase.
"Our cooperation spans numerous critical sectors, encompassing a wide array of important projects. Today, we have an opportunity to discuss these initiatives further," Putin remarked
The discussions between Putin and Tokayev reaffirm the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan, characterized by mutual respect, economic collaboration, and shared regional interests.
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