Vladimir Putin said that Kazakhstan was one of Russia’s closest and most reliable partners due to its stable economy. In turn, Nursultan Nazarbayev noted a stable development of bilateral relations and a 29% increase in bilateral trade.
The Presidents discussed some issues related to the formation of a Common Economic Space of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. According to Vladimir Putin, these four countries have advanced considerably towards this goal. The Russian President recalled that it was the Kazakh President who initiated this idea.
Nursultan Nazarbayev confirmed his invitation to the Russian President to visit Kazakhstan in early 2004 which was to be declared Year of Russia in Kazakhstan.
The Presidents discussed bilateral economic cooperation and touched upon the events to be held within Year of Kazakhstan in Russia.