ISTANBUL
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Thursday that his country's trade volume with Moscow is approaching $30 billion as he hosted talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in the capital Astana.
Kazakhstan's presidential press service Akorda quoted Tokayev as saying during the meeting that 122 major projects worth approximately $25 billion have already been implemented at the bilateral level.
"Trade volume is steadily approaching $30 billion. These are truly exceptional results. Russia is our main trade, economic, and investment partner, and we are certainly pleased with this," Tokayev said.
The two sides noted the consistent strengthening of their strategic partnership and the rapid growth of mutually beneficial dialogue, as well as the effective implementation of high-level agreements, according to the statement.
Preparations for a state visit to Kazakhstan by Russian President Vladimir Putin in May also featured prominently in the talks, with Tokayev describing the upcoming visit as a very important event.
Mishustin, for his part, congratulated Tokayev on the successful holding of Kazakhstan's constitutional referendum earlier this month, pledging that the Russian government is doing everything to ensure Putin's visit to the Central Asian nation is "a success."
"We fondly remember your visit to the Russian Federation last November. The governments are currently fulfilling all the objectives set by our leaders," he added.
Mishustin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for an official three-day visit, having met with his counterpart Olzhas Bektenov earlier Thursday. He is also set to participate in the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council on March 26-27 in the city of Shymkent, the Russian government said Tuesday.