Astana, Moscow to keep working together despite ‘shocks’ in the world – Tokayev
Russia plays a very important role in the modern world, he said
ASTANA, December 9. /TASS/. Kazakhstan and Russia will constantly work together, despite the "certain shocks" in the world, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
"Russia is Kazakhstan’s strategic partner. We have the longest ground border with Russia in the world. And we have traditions of good cooperation, which should be preserved or, at the very least, should not be rejected. And I believe that, despite the certain shocks on the international arena, we will constantly work together," Tokayev said in an interview for Euronews.
"Russia plays a very important role in the modern world. Some argue that it plays a negative role. Some believe that it plays a positive role. But still, overall, we have to acknowledge that Russia is extremely important, and one should cooperate with it, and Kazakhstan does it," the Kazakh leader noted.
He noted the recent "very successful" visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Astana.
Meanwhile, Tokayev underscored that Kazakhstan carries out a diversified international policy, having great relations with China, partners in Central and Western Europe. According to Tokayev, the republic maintains "strategic partnership relations with the US."
All this "totally corresponds with Kazakhstan’s geographical position, with Kazakhstan being the ninth largest country in the world," the head of state concluded.