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Russian, Kazakh president attend jubilee concert in Bolshoi Theatre

In 2012, Russia and Kazakhstan are marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of the basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, October 9 (Itar-Tass) —— After their talks, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on Tuesday attended a concert in Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre dedicated to the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Friendship Treaty between the two countries.

During the talks, President Nazarbayev suggested that the basic Cooperation Treaty with Russia should be adjusted.

“We believe that the treaty should be adjusted, tuned to further follow the path of creating the Common Economic Space,” Nazarbayev said on Tuesday at talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The issue, according to the Kazakh leader, should be tackled in a comprehensive manner. “We should not be in a hurry to create a worthy association.”

Putin, in turn, suggested that they discuss aspects of political and trade-and-economic cooperation, “including issues of further promoting cooperation not only between our countries but also in within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).”

In 2012, Russia and Kazakhstan are marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of the basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, Nazarbayev recalled. “We maintain special relations in the CIS space: energy and space matters, issues of the Common Economic Space are only a short list of joint activities,” he added. According to Nazarbayev, there are about 3,000 Kazakh companies in Russia, and more than 1,700 Russian companies in Kazakhstan. This fact, in his words, testifies to the high level of trade and economic ties.

Putin drew attention to the fact that both countries are oil and gas producers. “These goods account for a tiny portion in the structure of mutual trade, which is on the rise – it exceeded 20 billion U.S. dollars last year. It is a very good figure, which proves that everything that is linked with integration is efficient,” Putin said.