From historic friendship to new heights: Putin discusses the relationship with Kazakhstan.
An article by Russian President Vladimir Putin titled "Russia - Kazakhstan: a union demanded by life and oriented towards the future" was published in the newspaper "Kazakhstan Truth."
On the eve of my upcoming state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, I would like to share my vision of the current state and future of the relations between our two countries through the pages of the authoritative newspaper "Kazakhstan Truth."
The high level of intergovernmental ties is evidenced by the close and amicable personal relationships I have developed with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, over the years of our collaboration. We regularly communicate and meet in various formats. We consistently "synchronize our watches" on current bilateral topics, as well as on regional and global agendas, and outline new plans for the future. The main thing is that President Tokayev and I are always focused on concrete results and strive to do everything possible to create the most favorable conditions for the further confident development of Russian-Kazakh cooperation, for the prosperity of our countries, and for improving the quality of life of our citizens.
Russia is one of Kazakhstan's largest economic partners. Our countries are active supporters of Eurasian economic integration and were at the origins of the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union, within which we work on developing common markets for goods, services, and capital, eliminating regulatory and trade barriers, and developing a common transport and logistics infrastructure. All of this allows us to build effective cooperation across various sectors of the economy and brings tangible benefits to our countries.
Impressive figures in bilateral trade speak for themselves. Last year, it set a new record, exceeding the threshold of $28 billion, and from January to September of the current year, it surpassed $20 billion. The structure of mutual trade is constantly diversifying, with an increasing share of non-raw material products with high added value. Moreover, the share of national currencies in mutual settlements is steadily rising, which helps shield commercial operations between the two countries from the negative impacts of external, including political, conditions.
Year after year, Russian investments in Kazakhstan's economy are growing, with the current volume amounting to approximately $13 billion. More than 23,000 enterprises with Russian participation operate in the Republic. Companies from our countries are implementing a number of large joint projects in industrial cooperation and high technologies, establishing new full industrial cycle productions, which contributes to the comprehensive modernization of our economies and strengthens the technological sovereignty of Russia and Kazakhstan.
Our countries also collaborate constructively in the oil and gas sector. Thanks to the activities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, more than 80 percent of Kazakhstan's oil exports to foreign markets are routed through Russian territory and infrastructure at the Black Sea. Energy companies from our countries jointly develop hydrocarbon fields, engage in energy resource processing, and expand the pipeline system.
"Rosatom" provides practical assistance in implementing nuclear fuel cycle projects and developing the uranium industry in Kazakhstan. The Russian state corporation, which possesses unique competencies and technical solutions often unmatched globally, is ready for new large-scale projects with the Kazakh side. Good prospects also open up for cooperation in alternative and "clean" energy, environmental protection, and combating climate change.
There are numerous promising sectoral projects and initiatives in other areas of economic interaction as well. I would like to mention, in particular, the ongoing work to expand the eastern branch of the international transport corridor "North-South," which runs through Kazakhstan, and the creation of the Baikonur Cosmodrome's "Baiterek" space rocket complex using the Russian Soyuz-5 launch vehicle.
Regions of our countries make a significant contribution to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation. Almost all subjects of the Russian Federation have established direct ties with partners from Kazakhstan, jointly implementing projects in energy, industry, transport, and high technologies. These days, Ufa is hosting the 20th anniversary Forum of Interregional Cooperation, which traditionally brings together leaders of government bodies, legislators, representatives of ministries and departments, business, scientific, and public circles—everyone involved in practical issues of developing bilateral relations. Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich and I plan to address the forum participants via video link. Additionally, a comprehensive Program for Interregional and Cross-Border Cooperation has been prepared. It includes about 150 joint events and projects aimed at creating favorable conditions for the further steady socio-economic growth of the regions of Russia and Kazakhstan and improving the quality of life for people.
Humanitarian exchanges hold a traditionally important place in the palette of Russian-Kazakh interaction. Both sides are actively working to expand cooperation in culture, sports, through public and youth circles, and, of course, in education. Approximately 60,000 Kazakhstani students are studying at Russian universities. Many leading Russian universities, including Lomonosov Moscow State University, have branches successfully operating in Kazakhstan. Soon, a branch of MGIMO of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will open in Astana, among whose graduates are many well-known Kazakhstani individuals, including Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev.
Russia also supports the construction of new Russian-speaking schools in Kazakhstan and the improvement of the quality of school education in the Russian language. We expect that three more such schools will soon open in the cities of Kyzylorda, Taraz, and Turkestan. We are, of course, grateful to the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan, especially Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, for their careful attitude towards the Russian language and for the important initiative to establish the International Organization for the Russian Language, whose activities will promote its use as a means of intergovernmental and interethnic communication.
I would like to especially note that next year, the peoples of our countries will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. We are looking forward to seeing President Tokayev and other friends from Kazakhstan at the anniversary celebrations in Moscow on May 9. Both in Russia and Kazakhstan, we remember and honor the feat of our fathers and grandfathers who fought side by side against Nazism. We must certainly do everything to ensure that future generations remember the price at which peace and freedom were defended. This is especially significant now, as a more just multipolar world order is being formed, based on equal cooperation and opening new opportunities for sovereign development.
Russia and Kazakhstan are at the forefront of these processes, sharing similar positions regarding the key role of international law in interstate relations and the necessity of considering the interests of all countries in global security, stability, and sustainable development matters. It is on the basis of such approaches that our countries productively interact within multilateral organizations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The President of Kazakhstan participated in the successful summits of the CIS in Moscow and BRICS in Kazan last October. In particular, one of the important decisions made at the BRICS leaders' meeting was the establishment of a new category— "partner states" of our association, and a list of candidate countries for this category was agreed upon. An invitation for Kazakhstan to join BRICS in this capacity has been extended.
I would like to emphasize once again that Russia is ready to continue developing multifaceted friendly and allied relations with the Republic of Kazakhstan for the benefit of our peoples. I wish all citizens of Kazakhstan success, prosperity, and well-being.