Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia have an extraordinary rich past and a bright future - Tokayev
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave an interview to Izvestia newspaper ahead of his meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin this week, Kazinform News Agency cites Izvestia newspaper.
During the interview, President Tokayev gave his assessment of the current level of the Kazakh-Russian relations, recent launch of the Russian gas transit through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan and what the future holds for the world in general.
In the interview, the Head of State noted that his frequent meetings with the Russian President Putin illustrate fruitful cooperation between Astana and Moscow be it in bilateral or multilateral format.
In his words, the Kazakh-Russian partnership can be characterized by constructiveness and result-oriented approach, good neighborliness and alliance. The Head of State also added that Kazakhstan-Russia relations have an extraordinary rich history and a bright future.
The agenda of the upcoming meeting with the Russian President, according to Tokayev, is traditionally very packed. The sides are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian realms as well as exchange their views on the international agenda.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also mentioned that both leaders will attend the 19th edition of the Cross-border Cooperation Forum in Kostanay focusing on agricultural sector and what it can offer in terms of bilateral cooperation. The Kazakh leader expressed hope that the event is going to be fruitful and successful.
When asked about his participation in the ceremony held to launch the transit of Russian gas through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan via the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline in early October, President Tokayev welcomed the special role gas industry plays in the stable socioeconomic development of the Central Asian region.
According to him, the project launched on October 7 will help expand and modernize Kazakhstan’s gas transportation infrastructure, strengthen regional stability and energy security in Central Asia, give a powerful impulse to the industrial development of the participating countries, and improve business climate.
Tokayev continued by adding that Kazakhstan highly appreciates Russia's offer to help with the construction of the nuclear power plant in the territory of Kazakhstan. The fate of the NPP, in his words, will be decided based on the outcomes of the nationwide referendum.
The Head of State also reminded that the volume of direct investment from Russia to Kazakhstan had exceeded $20 billion in the past 18 years. Kazakhstan’s investment in Russia made about $6 billion.
President Tokayev also emphasized the role of the North-South transport corridor and how it can dramatically change the transport structure as well as cooperation in Eurasia, promoting mutual trade and investments. Nowadays, transport and logistics come into the fore in international cooperation. All participants can benefit from the emerging transport carcass of Eurasia both economically and politically.
When asked about the ongoing conflicts and trade wars around the world, President Tokayev said it is hard to see the glass as half full. However, the Kazakh leader believes that common sense and cooperation can overcome a bloc mentality and egoism. He also reiterated all conflicts should be settled based on norms and principles of the UN Charter. The world hasn’t come up with the better formula to tackle the conflicts. It is only through constructive dialogue, concerted efforts of the countries and highly professional diplomats that the world can restore peace, he added.
