Nazarbayev: Russia and Kazakhstan - locomotives of regional integration associations

SCOW. December 20. KAZINFORM /Narymbek Ismagulov/ Kazakh and Russian Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev and Dmitry Medvedev discussed the prospects of bilateral relations on the sidelines of the top level meetings in Moscow on Monday.

"We have done a lot in the troika format of our Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and in the format of EurAsEC Interstate Council. Our bilateral relations are developing excellently," Medvedev said.

Nazarbayev thanked his Russian counterpart for warm reception and noted the significance of regular bilateral meetings. "We are now working in the Customs Union. We have agreed on a Single Economic Space. Undoubtedly, Russia and Kazakhstan are locomotives of these integration associations," he emphasized.

The two leaders emphasized that for the first time in 20 years the trade turnover between the two countries reached an unprecedented level of USD 20 billion.

The Kazakh President also congratulated the Russian side on successful elections to the parliament of the Russian Federation. In addition, Nazarbayev expressed his condolences over the victims of "Kolskaya" drilling rig sinking in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.

In conclusion, the President wished success in the upcoming presidential elections in Russia and other major government initiatives.