The parties reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, industry, transport and logistics, agriculture, healthcare, integration of the phytosanitary and veterinary control systems, culture, science, education, and tourism.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin co-chaired the 25th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event took place in Moscow and was attended by representatives of the two countries’ specialised associations, ministries, and agencies.
“Russia and Kazakhstan maintain their relations on the principles of good-neighbourliness and close cooperation. At the intergovernmental commission meeting, we discussed a wide range of items on the agenda,” Alexei Overchuk emphasised.
The parties reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, industry, transport and logistics, agriculture, healthcare, integration of the phytosanitary and veterinary control systems, culture, science, education, and tourism. They also discussed interaction and efforts to develop joint stance within the Eurasian Economic Union.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Russian co-chair of the commission, stressed that Russia is Kazakhstan’s major trade and economic partner. The two countries are extensively using national currencies in mutual settlements, with their share accounting for 80 percent of bilateral settlements during this year’s first six months.
Deep integration within the Eurasian Economic Union serves as an essential contribution to making bilateral economic ties stronger.
The two countries are developing their cooperation in the energy sector. The meeting participants discussed the construction of three thermal power plants in three regional centres in Kazakhstan – Kokshetau, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk.
The two countries are also actively promoting cooperation in transport and logistics. During the first eight months of 2024, the volume of container cargo transported between Russia and Kazakhstan by rail increased by 2.5 percent compared to 2023.
Russia-Kazakhstan passenger transportation increased by 2.4 percent and amounted to 266,000 people over the same period.
As for air transportation, an increase in passenger and cargo traffic was recorded during this year’s first eight months: its volumes amounted to 658,800 passengers, indicating a growth of 23 percent compared to 2023, and 919,518 tonnes of cargo, showing an increase of 17 percent compared to 2023.
The deputy prime minister also spoke about the efforts to implement joint industrial cooperation projects and the work carried out in the railway engineering industry.
“I should note the successful implementation of our joint projects in the industrial sector. Those include car tire production as well as the technical launch of the engine parts casting production that took place on 10 September 2024, with full launch of the enterprise scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. Jointly with our Kazakhstani partners, we manufacture five models of grain harvesters, as well as tractors. We are also increasing the shipment of vehicle kits for agricultural machinery,” he said.
Work in the railway engineering industry is proceeding as scheduled.
In 2023–2024, a comprehensive project was implemented to supply 50 mainline diesel locomotives for the KTZ national company. In 2024–2025, the delivery of at least 300 sets of passenger, mail, and baggage cars is expected.
According to Alexei Overchuk, Russia places focus on boosting cooperation in healthcare. “We praise the organisation of the 7th SCO Health Ministers Meeting that took place in Astana on 14 March 2024. We are ready to further cooperate with our Kazakhstani colleagues in training medical personnel,” he emphasised.
Russia and Kazakhstan are taking efforts to enhance their cooperation in digitalisation, including the use of smart city technologies to improve the quality of life of citizens.
Tourism is a promising sphere of cooperation. “Considering how important it is to develop interaction with our Kazakhstani colleagues in tourism, we believe it necessary to further enhance our work on signing intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in tourism and development of the border tourist area near Mount Belukha to boost our efforts in the industry,” Alexei Overchuk noted.
Promoting cultural dialogue is still a major aspect in the development of comprehensive cooperation. Concert and tours, cinema days, folk festivals, forums, congresses, and other cultural events take place on a regular basis, aiming to preserve the values of Russia and Kazakhstan.
“The two countries view the task to preserve and promote the Russian language as a priority, considering its status as an official language in the country. In this regard, Moscow has actively supported President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to create an international organisation on the Russian language, which was documented following a decision of the CIS states’ presidents in 2023. We expect it to be launched in 2025,” the Russian co-chair stressed.
Work is underway to open three joint schools with instruction in Russian in the cities of Kyzylorda, Taraz and Turkistan in Kazakhstan as part of interdepartmental cooperation.
The deputy prime minister also highlighted greater ties in youth cooperation and mentioned the World Youth Festival, a major event hosted in Russia in March 2024 whose programme included discussions and lectures, as well as an exhibition, cultural exchanges, sports competitions, and volunteer events.
In conclusion, Alexei Overchuk thanked the Kazakhstani side and the organisers for the efficient conversation and the well-arranged work.
Following the meeting, the sides signed the final protocol of the 25th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
