President Vladimir Putin visited Baikonur as the cosmodrome celebrated its 50th anniversary.
One of the biggest and most significant space launch centres in the world, Baikonur plays a key part in the International Space Station’s work and in carrying out the space programmes of many different countries. This new and successful chapter in Baikonur’s history is yet another tangible result of the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan, Mr Putin said, stressing that it is close cooperation between the two countries that has enabled Baikonur to keep its major place in modern space exploration and to undergo a revival following the very difficult period it went through in the 1990s.
Russia and Kazakhstan intend to continue developing their interaction and cooperation in the peaceful exploration of outer space. One promising project is the development at Baikonur of the Baiterek new generation launch complex.