Kazakh and Russian Presidents sign agreement on good-neighbourliness

Astana, Kazakhstan, Nov. 12 By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend: Kazakh and Russian Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin signed the agreement on good-neighbourliness and alliance in the 21st Century, Akorda reported today. "Ten years ago we initiated this forum," President Nazarbayev said. "Over the years it was positively evaluated and became an important factor for cooperation between our two countries. "Kazakhstan and Russia have done more than others to keep relations between people, enterprises and economies in the post-Soviet area. We are neighbours and they are not chosen. Our ancestors lived, we live and our descendants will live this way. It is important to work on improving the relations. This is the foundation for future generations." While summarising the outcome of the forum, the Kazakh president stressed the effectiveness of discussing a wide range of issues of Kazakh- Russian relations. The president stressed that the agreements will give new dynamics to the strategic partnership and will contribute to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. President Putin emphasised the rapid pace of economic cooperation stressing that trade turnover between the two countries increased by 15 per cent up to $ 18 billion for the first nine months of this year. Several bilateral documents aimed at intensifying the inter-state partnership were signed following the forum. - Agreement on good-neighbourliness and alliance in the 21st Century between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation; - Cooperation agreement on the Association of Kazakh and Russian Industrial Colleges ROST - ORLEU; - Preliminary agreement on oil transportation through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and guarantees; - Memorandum of Understanding on expanding cooperation in the field of industry between the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation ; - A roadmap on intensifying the industrial cooperation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation in 2013-2014; - Protocol to the Agreement on cooperation in the development of the Imashevskoye gas condensate field between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Russian Federation; - Agreement for the prevention and suppression of forest and grassland fires in the border areas between the governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. The next eleventh Forum of Interregional Cooperation of Russia and Kazakhstan will be held at Atyrau in 2014.