Partnership strategy: Putin and Tokayev have taken their countries' relations to a new level

The Russian Consulate General will open in Aktau in the near future, Amur tigers will also be delivered to Kazakhstan — these are just some of the results of the two-day visit of the President of the republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Moscow. He arrived in Russia at the invitation of Vladimir Putin. On November 11, the leaders talked informally, and the next day officially. Relations between Moscow and Astana have received the status of a strategic partnership — the presidents signed a declaration following the talks. A total of 14 documents were signed with her. In what areas do the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan intend to strengthen cooperation and what is the importance of these relations for both sides – in the Izvestia article.

What was discussed at the meeting between Putin and Tokayev in the Kremlin

The state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Russia lasted for two days, Moscow and Astana called it important for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Moscow on November 11. In the evening, he and Vladimir Putin met informally in the Kremlin. After dinner, the leaders continued their conversation over tea in the Kremlin apartment of the Russian president. For three hours, the politicians discussed bilateral cooperation and the events taking place in the world. Tokayev thanked Putin for the warm welcome and called Moscow a "sacred land."

On the morning of November 12, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko. Later, he laid flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier. The republic made a great contribution to the victory in the Great Patriotic War: more than 1.2 million Kazakhstanis went to the front in those years, about half of them died, 500 received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The talks between the presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan began at the Grand Kremlin Palace at around 14:30. During the official welcoming ceremony, the anthems of both countries were played, and the heads of state greeted the members of the delegations with handshakes. The negotiations began in a narrow format and then continued in an expanded format.

— Russia is one of the leading trade and economic partners of Kazakhstan, ranks first in terms of investments. Last year, in my opinion, 27 billion - over 27 billion, our trade turnover is 27.8 billion. This year, in nine months, it has already reached 20 billion. As for investments, they are also measured in billions, in my opinion, about 27 billion investments," Vladimir Putin said during a conversation with his Kazakh counterpart.

The Russian President noted: Moscow and Astana are successfully implementing economic projects, and they have already achieved an almost complete transition to national currencies in mutual settlements. Vladimir Putin also stressed that Russia and Kazakhstan are actively working together in the international arena. Meetings at various levels are planned in Bishkek in the near future through the CSTO, and then in St. Petersburg at the traditional New Year's Eve meeting with the leaders of the CIS and the EAEU.

In addition, Russia and Kazakhstan have managed to establish interregional ties, Vladimir Putin noted. According to him, almost ten regions of our country are actively working with almost all regions of the republic. From the Kremlin, the presidents addressed the participants of the Forum of Interregional Cooperation of Kazakhstan and Russia via video link.

Moscow and Astana successfully maintain humanitarian ties, and there are many international families, the Russian president said.

— For us, a state visit to the Russian Federation is perhaps the main event of this year. We have been carefully preparing and conducting consultations through ministries and departments, as the scale of cooperation is truly unique. There is not a single area where we do not come into contact with the Russian Federation and cooperate," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev greeted his Russian counterpart.

The strategic partnership and allied relations between the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan are not a figure of speech, but the essence of cooperation, Tokayev emphasized in his opening remarks. He stressed that the countries face the task of increasing trade turnover to $30 billion, noting that this is a real indicator.

The head of Kazakhstan emphasized cooperation with Moscow in the field of atomic energy. The parties are close to signing agreements that could pave the way for the construction of a nuclear power plant jointly with Rosatom State Corporation.

At the end of his speech, Tokayev invited Vladimir Putin to pay a state visit to the republic next year. "I will be happy to come to Kazakhstan," the head of the Russian Federation replied.

In total, the negotiations lasted about an hour and a half. Speaking to the press, both state leaders agreed that the meeting was constructive and productive. After the official negotiations, the delegations gathered for an official dinner, which took place in the Faceted Chamber. The leaders then headed to the Bolshoi Theatre, where performances by Kazakhstani artists awaited them.

Relations between Russia and Kazakhstan have acquired the status of a strategic partnership

The negotiations in Moscow resulted in the signing of 14 documents. These include the 2030 economic cooperation program, agreements in the fields of transport, space technology, economics and healthcare. Among other things, the countries agreed to open a Russian consulate general in Aktau, as well as import Amur tigers from the Russian Federation to Kazakhstan.

However, the main progress of the Russian-Kazakh negotiations was the signing of a declaration on the transition of interstate relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance.

—The memorandum [...] says that we are taking our relations to an even higher interstate level,— Vladimir Putin said.

Kazakhstan has become another country with which Russia has upgraded its relations to the status of a strategic partnership. Not so long ago, a similar agreement was concluded with Venezuela. In addition, such relations have been established with Indonesia, Iran, China and the DPRK.

According to the document, Moscow and Astana pledged to strengthen their partnership in the energy sector, which includes the extraction, transportation and supply of oil and petroleum products, natural gas, coal and electricity. In addition, the declaration deals with the development of cooperation in the transportation of gas to third countries, as well as ensuring reliable protection of critical energy infrastructure.

It also follows from the declaration that Russia and Kazakhstan will continue to remain committed to the goals of building a more representative and equitable multipolar world order based on respect for international law. The states agreed to cooperate for the benefit of the interests of sustainable international security, as well as to support the key role of the CSTO in maintaining regional stability. In addition, the parties intend to develop cooperation in the field of biological and information security.

Another important point of the declaration signed on November 12 is the consolidation of the principles of cooperation between the Caspian littoral states, including the non—presence of armed forces in the Caspian Sea that do not belong to any of the signatory countries. The States also welcome the establishment of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Kazakhstan.

In addition, Moscow and Astana, according to the text of the declaration, are ready to work together to liberalize trade relations between the participants of the Eurasian space. Efforts to increase the capacity of the North–South international transport corridor and its interconnection with other transport arteries in the region are of great importance here.

— The visit of the President of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation and the signing of the declaration on the transition of relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership became a logical continuation of a stable and pragmatic course of bilateral relations. The document not only symbolizes a high level of trust, but it strengthens the institutional framework for cooperation that has actually developed in recent years," said Daria Saprynskaya, a researcher at the Laboratory for Modern Central Asia and the Caucasus Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Moscow sees Astana as an independent and reliable partner, and Kazakhstan as a space for economic opportunities rather than geopolitical obligations, the expert explains.