Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is beginning a two-day state visit to Russia, during which he will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin press service.
“President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will pay a state visit to Russia. The negotiations will address current issues regarding the further development of Russian-Kazakh relations, strategic partnership and alliance in political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres, along with key regional and international topics,” the statement read.
The two leaders will also address participants of the XXI Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan via video link. The forum is being held in Uralsk, Kazakhstan. Following their talks, the leaders are expected to sign important bilateral documents.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier indicated that during the meeting, Putin would likely brief Tokayev on developments regarding the conflict in Ukraine and peace efforts. The Russian president regularly keeps his counterparts informed about such matters, Peskov noted.
Visit Background
The preparation for Tokayev's state visit this fall was first officially announced in April. Astana has since repeatedly emphasized the importance it attaches to the event, with Putin and Tokayev discussing the visit details in multiple phone calls.
In August, spokesperson for the Kazakh president Ruslan Zheldibay told TASS that the visit aims to “deepen comprehensive cooperation in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance.”
Tokayev himself confirmed the date during the Central Asia-Russia summit in Dushanbe in October. Later that month, meeting with Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov in Astana, he described the upcoming visit as a “milestone event” in bilateral relations and anticipated the signing of documents that “will have a serious positive impact on the future course of cooperation.”
Ahead of the visit, Days of Kazakh Culture opened in Moscow, featuring an exhibition of Kazakh painting and sculpture at the New Tretyakov Gallery, theatrical performances at the Maly Theatre, and a Kazakh film festival. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information stated these events reflect the sustainable nature of interstate relations, developed in accordance with top-level agreements.
Coinciding with the state visit, the XXI Forum of Interregional Cooperation will be held in Uralsk on November 11-12. Alternately hosted by both countries since 2003, this year's forum focuses on “Vocational Occupations — Drivers of Economic Growth.”
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Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS