Kazakh PM Holds Productive Talks in Russia on Bilateral Cooperation
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov is currently on a working visit to Russia, responding to an invitation extended by Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin. The talks between the heads of the Kazakh and Russian governments have centered on strengthening the existing trade and economic cooperation and realizing the agreements previously established between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During the discussions, both sides identified joint efforts in various sectors, emphasizing trade and investment, industrial cooperation, energy, agriculture, civil aviation, and transit and transport collaboration. Additionally, the leaders discussed prospects for cooperation in culture and education.
Prime Minister Bektenov acknowledged the positive momentum in the development of industrial and trade cooperation, revealing that currently, both countries’ business entities are actively implementing 135 projects valued at 26.5 billion US dollars. Furthermore, an additional 67 joint projects, amounting to 14 billion US dollars, in sectors such as mechanical engineering, metallurgy, and the chemical industry are under development. This collaborative effort is expected to create over 11 thousand jobs.
Bektenov emphasized that industrial cooperation is a key area and a hallmark of successful bilateral relations. He expressed the commitment of both governments to make every effort to fulfill the agreements reached by the leaders of both countries.
A crucial aspect of the discussions was the need to modernize checkpoints at the Kazakh-Russian state border. Bektenov stressed the importance of stepping up and synchronizing efforts to modernize these checkpoints, with plans to reconstruct 29 out of 30 selected based on their workload by the end of 2027. These measures aim to promote transit efficiency and increase capacity along the border.
The leaders also focused on expanding the capacity of the North-South international corridor, emphasizing the development of the transport artery through intensive use of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railroad section.
In the field of agro-industrial cooperation, the Kazakhstani side highlighted promising areas, particularly in the deep processing of agricultural products.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to actively cooperate in realizing decisions and agreements made at the highest levels of state. He underscored the priority attention attached to strengthening relations with Kazakhstan based on mutual respect, trust, and strategic partnership. Mishustin highlighted the significant potential for collaboration in transport and logistics, pointing out that key transit routes in Eurasia cross the territories of both countries.
The talks concluded with a mutual commitment from the heads of government to maintain a high pace in joint work across the entire spectrum of interstate relations. The discussions further solidified the strong bonds between Kazakhstan and Russia, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and mutual prosperity.
