ASTANA, January 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Defense Ministries of Russia and Kazakhstan are exerting efforts to step up military and military-technical cooperation, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said by opening talks with Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister Adilbek Dzhasybekov on Friday.

“In the past two months this is our third meeting. Each meeting is important: we’re discussing pressing issues of the Armed Forces, military and military-technical cooperation, the creation of a united cooperation system, a united air defense and missile defense system, and cooperation in using facilities that ensure security of Russia and Kazakhstan,” the Russian minister said.

“We should continue moving towards re-equipping and rebuilding certain facilities,” Shoigu said.

“Unfortunately, we can’t talk about everything openly. It’s pleasant to realize that our subordinates realize the importance of the tasks that the state set. We’re moving step-by-step to carry out these tasks,” the Russian minister said.

“I hope that we’ll take decisions on the problems that we discussed in December. The priority is terms on supplies of new systems. We’ll determine future plans,” Shoigu said.

“Our meetings are a good tradition. The development of dynamical relations proves your active position in this issue, the position of the Russian Defence Ministry and the personal stance of Sergei Shoigu,” Dzhasybekov said.

“We seek to work jointly,” he said, adding “A year ago we signed an agreement on a united air defence system.”

At present, Kazakhstan is working on to make the agreement to come into effect. All necessary procedures are completing. “When the agreement enters into force we believe it necessary to determine a list of command posts of units and formations and decide on a commander’s candidate due to be submitted to the presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan,” Dzhasybekov said.

“Today’s visit by the Russian defense minister is aimed at realizing the instructions that our commanders-in-chief gave us,” the Kazakhstani minister said.

“Our relations develop and are strengthened. We expand cooperation to create a united air defense system. So, we’ve discussed many issues. We’ve discussed plans for using firing ranges on the territory of Kazakhstan and developing relations to exchange information on the space situation and in countering cyber threats,” the Kazakhstani minister said.