19-09-03 Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Kazakhstan as one of Russia's most reliable partners.
"Kazakhstan is not only one of our nearest partners, but, given its stable economic development, is one of our most reliable partners", Putin told Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Yalta.

He congratulated Nazarbayev on the high rate of economic growth observed in Kazakhstan and said the country has achieved impressive results.
"We are closely following your economic development as well as decisions being made in your country", Putin said. "We are getting closer to the implementation of our plan for creating a single economic area for four countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. We are working a great deal and will make the decision shortly. But the plan still needs to be detailed", Putin said.

President Nazarbayev summarizing the results of the Year of Kazakhstan in Russia said the turnover between the countries grew by 29 %.
Nazarbayev said that the two countries are completing the work needed to draft agreements creating a common economic space. He said Kazakhstan and Russia have no serious problems and that their relations are steadily developing.