Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin begins his working visit to Kazakhstan with meetings in Astana, followed by a trip to Almaty for the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting. The agenda extends beyond these events, as Mishustin will also participate in the Digital Almaty 2025 technology forum on January 31.
This winter visit to Kazakhstan is part of an annual tradition. While Mishustin regularly attends Digital Almaty, previous years saw him heading straight to Almaty. This time, however, his meetings with Kazakh leadership will take place in Astana.
The Russian government has announced that the talks between Russia and Kazakhstan will cover a broad range of trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation topics. Special attention will be given to joint projects in energy, industry, transportation, education, and culture.
Mishustin will discuss these matters with his Kazakh counterpart, Olzhas Bektanov. However, the prime minister-level talks are just one part of the Astana segment of the visit. Mishustin will also meet with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russia and Kazakhstan have been deepening their cooperation year by year, implementing over 30 projects with Russian involvement within the Central Asian republic. These projects span various sectors including automotive and agricultural machinery, railway engineering, nuclear energy, and chemistry.
After arriving in Almaty, Mishustin will attend the 42nd session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council since the EAEU began operations in 2015. This will be the first such meeting since the Moscow session in December 2024.
The cabinet has outlined that the event will focus on enhancing integration within the EAEU, the functioning of the Eurasian market, the macroeconomic situation, and advancing joint projects. Heads of government from member states will hear a report on current macroeconomic conditions and receive proposals for ensuring sustainable development.
Key topics include the mechanism for subsidizing cooperative projects from the EAEU budget. The "five" member states will evaluate the potential of using this tool, particularly in agriculture. Another priority topic is customs cooperation, including practical applications of navigation seals for tracking shipments.
In addition to Mishustin and representatives from EAEU member countries—Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—the meeting will include observers from Iran, Cuba, and Uzbekistan, as well as invited guests from Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
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Photo: official website of the Rais RT
Based on materials from TASS