Kazakhstan, Russia commemorate 20 years of friendship, coop and mutual aid

Official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kazakhstan is one of key priorities for the short-term, Alexander Sternik, Director of the 3rd Department of CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, said in an interview to Kazakh mass media.

20 years ago, on the 25th of May 1992, Kazakhstan and Russia signed the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the countries. In 2002 the document was automatically prolonged for another 10 years because none of the countries expressed a wish to withdraw from the treaty.

"Over the period our ties and partnership have become more solid, we have passed the test of time and our relationship fully reflect interests of Russia and Kazakhstan. We have witnessed the growth in commodity turnover, strengthening of political interaction in the international and regional organizations and strategic leadership in the problems of integration in Eurasia," A. Sternik noted.

The diplomat also pointed out that Kazakh and Russian businessmen worked within a single space. "Kazakhstani businessmen are very active at the Russian market. The direct investments amounted to USD 200 million," Russian MFA representative stated.

"Right now we see a new integration phenomenon on the rise - single economic space. It is based on the Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russian and Belarus," he said. "We are forming a single market covering 170 million consumers."

"Over the last two decades the CIS member countries have seen shattering changes. Thanks to wise leadership of President Nazarbayev and his colleagues in the CIS countries the implementation and deepening of the integration processes are of stable and gradual character," A. Sternik underlined.

"We bound not only by a centuries-long history but also by the largest border between the countries. We destined to be the closest allies and strategic partners," he added.