The meeting took place as part of the Russian Prime Minister’s working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Excerpts from the transcript:
Mikhail Mishustin with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov
Mikhail Mishutin holds talks with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov
Mikhail Mishutin holds talks with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov
Mikhail Mishustin with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov
Olzhas Bektenov: Mr Mishutin, I am delighted to welcome you in Astana.
This is our first meeting this year. I believe that it offers us a great opportunity to review our joint efforts over the past year and outline plans for our future cooperation.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate you on the 20th anniversary of the Kazakhstan-Russia state border treaty. Russia has been and remains a key strategic partner and ally for Kazakhstan.
It is by combining their efforts that our two respective heads of state, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Vladimir Putin, have succeeded in reaching new heights in promoting our cooperation.
In November 2024, the President of Russia travelled to Kazakhstan on a state visit to reaffirm the allied relations between our two countries.
Ensuring that all the top-level agreements are fulfilled and implemented is one of the key tasks for our two governments. This includes the objective to expand bilateral trade to $30 billion.
Kazakhstan pays special attention to promoting region-to-region and cross-border cooperation. In our view, the 20th anniversary Inter-Regional Cooperation Forum in Ufa was a success. We plan to host the next 21st edition of this forum this year in Kazakhstan. It will take place in Uralsk. It is our belief that this framework has proven its effectiveness over the years and serves as a focal point for promoting closer bonds between our respective regions.
I am certain that this year will also be packed with joint events and mutual contacts at various levels.
As I have already said, Russia is one of Kazakhstan’s main trading partners. In 2023, trade enjoyed an upward momentum, exceeding $27 billion. In January-November of 2024, our performance in trade was also quite solid at over $24 billion.
It is essential and we maintain this positive momentum moving forward.
Mutual investment has been following a steady upward trajectory. Over the past 20 years, Russian investors contributed over $25 billion to Kazakhstan’s economy as foreign direct investment, while companies from Kazakhstan invested $8.7 billion in the Russian economy over the same period.
During the first nine months of 2024 alone, the total inflow of Russian investment increased by 43 percent. This figure is currently equal to $2.8 billion. There are over 23,000 companies with Russian capital operating in Kazakhstan, which accounts for about 40 percent of all companies with foreign capital.
Of course, we are interested in creating new manufacturing sites and undertaking new joint projects. Kazakhstan invites Russian companies to take an active part in carrying out various joint investment projects in Kazakhstan.
The intergovernmental commission for cooperation plays a special role in addressing a wide range of bilateral matters and boosting trade. The comprehensive economic cooperation programme for 2021–2025 has also been quite effective, as far as we can see.
In this context, we believe that it would be advisable for our corresponding government agencies to get down to drafting an updated programme for the years to come.
There have also been tangible results in terms of our cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Holding the cross years of culture between our two countries was an important undertaking. The Russian Seasons cultural project and the Big Tour programme were a success.
Speaking of the latest initiatives, we can mention the unveiling of classic Kazakh poet Abai Qunanbaiuly’s head statue in Kazan, and the performance of the Abai opera in the Kazakh language at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.
Mr Mushustin, the Government of Kazakhstan is ready to continue working closely with Russia and promoting comprehensive cooperation across the board.
I now pass you the floor.
Mikhail Mishustin: Mr Bektenov, colleagues.
I am glad to be able to have a meeting with you once again, and I would like to thank our friends in Kazakhstan for the hospitable welcome we always receive here and for the perfect arrangements for all the events as part of our visit here.
Allow me to convey the best wishes and greetings to you on President Vladimir Putin’s behalf.
Kazakhstan is Russia’s strategic partner and ally. Friendship, neighbourly ties, mutual respect and taking into account each other’s interests – these are the guiding principles of our relations.
Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan resulted in the adoption of a series of major agreements on further expanding our relations. It is up to our respective governments to ensure that these agreements are carried out and that all their provisions are fulfilled as approved by our leaders. Russia is Kazakhstan’s leading trade partner. As you have just said, mutual trade exceeded 2.6 trillion roubles, or 13.7 trillion tenge.
Co-chaired by Russia’s Alexei Overchuk and Kazakhstan’s Serik Zhumangarin, the Russia-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation has been proactive in its efforts. Efforts to carry out joint strategic projects in Kazakhstan in manufacturing, energy, transport and logistics have been enjoying positive momentum.
Major Eurasian transit routes pass through Kazakhstan and Russia. We attach special importance to developing the North – South international corridor. I am convinced that it will emerge as a global transport artery and will benefit countries across the Eurasian region. This will place Kazakhstan on Eurasia’s crossroads.
We have been proactive in promoting our cultural and humanitarian ties. Moscow-based universities and higher education institutions have their branches in Kazakhstan, and over 60,000 students from Kazakhstan study in Russia.
The International Organisation for the Russian Language will be launched this year. The initiative to establish it belonged to his Excellency President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In May, we will be marking an anniversary that matters for both our nations – the 80 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. People in Russia and Kazakhstan hold sacred the memory of frontline fighters, home front workers, and those who defended our homeland from Nazism.
Mr Bektenov, I would like to thank all our colleagues once again for organising these events. We have a packed agenda in front of us. We are ready to discuss all the items that require our attention. Thank you.
<…>
