MOSCOW, May 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s State Duma has ratified Russia-Kazakhstan agreements on cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.

The agreement was signed between the governments of the two countries in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, on May 22, 2008. It aims to establish organizational and legal frameworks for the countries’ cooperation in the space industry.

Leonid Slutsky, Chairman the Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Ties with Compatriots, said the document stipulated principles, norms and conditions covering distribution and protection of intellectual property rights, export control, defence of property and technology and customs clearance procedures.

“This is an important innovation in Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space,” Slutsky said.