Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev warmly welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin on his state visit to Kazakhstan, where the two leaders discuss bolstering energy and industry cooperation. The visit comes at a critical juncture for both nations.
Upon his arrival in Astana on November 27, Putin is greeted by Toqaev with a firm handshake, symbolizing the strong bond between the two countries. Toqaev reveals that he carefully read Putin’s commentary in Kazakhstanskaya Pravda prior to the visit and has published his own article in Russian media, highlighting their shared vision for future cooperation.
Toqaev emphasizes that Kazakhstan remains a steadfast strategic partner and ally of Russia, even during these challenging times. He reaffirms this commitment to strengthen ties between Moscow and Astana.
Putin expresses gratitude towards Toqaev for his attention to the Russian language, referencing the recent ratification of an agreement to establish the International Organization for the Russian Language by Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament.
While Kazakhstan has attempted to distance itself from Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, it heavily relies on its neighbor for oil exports to Western markets and various imports such as food and electricity.
More than 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil is exported through Russia, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the two leaders. Putin highlights their constructive cooperation in the oil and gas sector, stressing their joint efforts towards achieving tangible results.
In addition to discussing plans to increase natural gas transit through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, Putin and Toqaev explore potential collaborations in hydroelectric power, car tires, fertilizers, and other sectors.
The leaders also touch upon agricultural trade concerns following import bans imposed by both countries. Toqaev calls for friendly competition within Eurasian Economic Union markets rather than competing against each other in foreign markets.
As their discussions progress, Putin mentions that Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is prepared for new large-scale projects, hinting at potential future nuclear collaborations. However, no specific details regarding the nuclear power plant project are disclosed during the visit.
Toqaev’s focus on agricultural trade and Putin’s emphasis on energy and industry cooperation highlight the multifaceted nature of Kazakhstan and Russia’s partnership.
Despite challenges, this state visit reinforces the enduring alliance between Kazakhstan and Russia while paving the way for further collaboration in various sectors.
