Putin Invites Tokayev to Attend Upcoming Informal CIS Summit in St. Petersburg

Photo: Akorda

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

"Firstly, I’d like to thank the President (Kassym-Jomart Tokayev) for such a solemn meeting. We meet regularly and are familiar with the working environment. Such a solemn environment is unusual. I really appreciate it. We’re in friendly relations and maintain business relations, and everything truly develops in the dynamic and best way. We’re in regular contact," Putin said during his visit to Kazakhstan, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

"I look forward to seeing you at the end of the year, as we usually do, at an informal pre-New Year's meeting of CIS leaders in St. Petersburg. I also expect you at the festive celebrations ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which is our common victory," he noted.

The Russian leader went on to note that numerous documents are set to be signed following the talks.

"These documents include joint statements as well as a whole package of documents in different areas of our activities. Russia remains one of the major trade and economic partners. The trade turnover stood at 28.5 billion US dollars last year, and it continues growing. Investments of 13 billion US dollars have been accumulated in the Kazakh economy," said the Russian president.

During the talks, the Kazakh and Russian heads of state discussed prospects for developing interaction in spheres such as industrial cooperation, energy, oil and gas industry, transit of energy resources, mechanical engineering, transport and logistics, finance, ecology and water policy, education, science as well as cultural and humanitarian ties.