MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his birthday, also expressing gratitude for his visit to Moscow to attend Victory Day celebrations.

"Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich! Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your birthday. <...> We had a warm conversation on May 9 in Moscow. I am grateful that you were able to come to celebrate Victory Day, our shared great holiday," reads the telegram published on the Kremlin website.

Putin also noted the high respect of his compatriots and the significant international authority Tokayev has earned through his activities at the helm of Kazakhstan.

"It is difficult to overestimate your personal contribution to the development of Russian-Kazakh relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance," the Russian President added.

The head of state expressed confidence that the future talks during his upcoming state visit to Astana would contribute to further expanding the entire range of mutually beneficial bilateral ties.

"The holding of a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana under your chairmanship is also of particular importance," Putin noted.

"I sincerely wish you, dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, good health, prosperity, and success," Putin concluded.

Earlier on Sunday, the Kremlin press service reported a telephone conversation between Putin and Tokayev.