Putin and Nazarbayev to discuss energy and space

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will discuss development of cooperation in energy and space, as well as establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union during the meeting in Astana, RIA Novosti writes. “This trip, just as our last visit to Minsk, is called to stress the traditionally fraternal relations with one of the leading strategic partners and one of the leading allies of Russia in the post-Soviet space,” Russian President’s assistant Yuriy Ushakov said. According to him, “the priority will be given to consistent enhancement of the Eurasian integration: the Customs Union, the Common Economic Space and the work of the Eurasian Economic Commission”. Ushakov stressed that the task of aligning the negotiations processes of three countries with EurAsEC countries and other out-of-region states and unions was becoming more essential. Besides, Russian President’s assistant noted that Putin and Nazarbayev “will thoroughly review such priority areas of our cooperation as energy (fuel and nuclear) and space”. “Russia and Kazakhstan have gained a huge potential and palpable competitive advantages in joint development of the north Caspian fields, forming of a common market of power energy, creation of promising space rocket complexes and satellites, including through more efficient use of Baikonur launch site, and construction of the first innovative nuclear station with Russian reactor in Kazakhstan,” Ushakov said. “The agreements to be signed will concern the rules of stay of our citizens at the territories of both countries, crossing of the common state border by the citizens of near-border territories, readmission. The Executive Protocol on the terms of implementation of the new developments and the above-mentioned agreements will become a significant contribution into the successful implementation of the plans of near-border cooperation,” he noted.