ASTANA, December 12. /TASS/. Russia is a key political and economic partner for Kazakhstan, the republic's Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev said at a meeting with Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko in Astana.

"Russia is a key political and economic partner of Kazakhstan," the speaker of Kazakhstan's upper house of parliament stated.

Ashimbayev congratulated the chairperson of the Russian parliament’s upper house on Russia's Constitution Day, which is celebrated on December 12, as well as on the title of Hero of Labor that Matviyenko received in April 2024. "Once again, we congratulate you. This is certainly a well-deserved recognition of your contributions and an indicator of great trust on the part of the Russian people and the country's leadership," the Senate President said.

Matviyenko is on an official visit in Astana. The Russian delegation of senators is expected to sign a plan of interparliamentary cooperation for 2025-2027, as well as meet with the leadership of the republic and parliamentarians to discuss the results of Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Astana, which took place in late November.