BAKU, Azerbaijan, July
25. Russia and Kazakhstan continue to expand bilateral
trade and investment, supported by growing cooperation between
their regions and the implementation of joint industrial projects,
Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
According to the Kremlin, he made the remark at the opening of
the 22nd Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum.
Addressing more than 650 participants, including regional
governors, ministers, lawmakers, business representatives and
experts from both countries, Putin said the role of interregional
cooperation had become increasingly important in strengthening the
strategic partnership between Moscow and Astana. "We have just held
talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and highly appreciated
the active role of the regions in promoting the entire spectrum of
Russian-Kazakh partnership," Putin said.
According to him, coordinated efforts by regional authorities
and businesses continue to stimulate trade and investment flows
between the two countries. "In 2025, bilateral trade reached nearly
$29 billion, while Russian investment in Kazakhstan's economy
exceeded $30 billion," he said.
Putin noted that a large-scale interregional cooperation program
running through 2028 provides the basis for implementing major
joint projects in energy, mechanical engineering, the automotive
industry and chemicals. He also highlighted the expansion of
exchanges between regional administrations and legislatures, as
well as growing cooperation in education, science, culture and
sports. "Interregional partnership is based on an extensive legal
framework. A number of new agreements, memorandums and commercial
contracts are being signed by the regions these days in Omsk,"
Putin said.
The Russian president added that regional cooperation remains
one of the principal drivers of broader bilateral relations,
contributing to economic growth and closer people-to-people ties
between the neighboring countries.
