Russia’s President has no concerns over issues arising between Moscow and Astana

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has no concerns over some issues arising between Moscow and Astana as the issues mostly stem from the wide spectrum of cooperation between the two nations. “[Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev and I] met not long ago, however there are many issues to be solved”, RIA Novosti reports, citing President Putin as saying when opening the talks with President Nazarbayev. “We have repeatedly discussed the issues over the phone; the fact some problems are there is normal as they a product of the vast cooperation; and it’s gratifying to see the cooperation steadily growing”, Mr. Putin said. Some media earlier reported that Russia and Kazakhstan might terminate cooperation within all joint space projects as Kazakhstan restricted the number of launches from the Baikonur cosmodrome currently leased out to Russia. Some media reported that Russia might revisit its stance on joint projects, including Dnepr and Baiterek projects. According to Mr. Putin, growing ties between Russia and Kazakhstan benefit both nations. “It’s a positive experience of integration”, Mr. Putin believes. President Nazarbayev announced that the renewed Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan might be signed in autumn in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. “We have tasked respective agencies to draft the renewed agreement (…) I hope it will be signed in autumn in Yekaterinburg”, he said. In autumn Yekaterinburg will be hosting the 10th forum of transborder cooperation traditionally attended by the countries’ leaders.