Presidents Nazarbayev and Medvedev to attend VIII Forum of near-border cooperation

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan are expected to attend the VIII Forum of near-border cooperation, RIA Novosti reports, citing the Kremlin’s Press Service. The Forum will be held in Astrakhan September 15. “The two leaders are to discuss the Joint Action Plan for 2011-2012, enhancement of the legal framework related to Baikonur, use of transborder water reservoirs, interaction within international organizations”, Askar Abdrakhmanov, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told a briefing September 12. The previous forum was held in Ust Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan in 2010. The forum was attended by governors of many Russia’s regions, not only those close to Kazakhstan. The Forum is one of the most effective tools to tackle issues of customs regulation, support to transport projects, science and culture exchange. 12 administrative territories of Russia border on 7 oblasts of Kazakhstan.