Trade and economic cooperation and, first and foremost, energy cooperation were very important issues during talks with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev. In particular, they discussed the possibility of expanding existing facilities and building new ones in order to transport hydrocarbons and electricity, and of cooperation in the nuclear sector. They also discussed preparing the legislation associated with multilateral agreements on the Caspian Sea, the shared use of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and resolving social problems in that city.
Following the talks, the presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan issued a joint statement in which, among other things, they adopted a joint action plan for 2007–2008.
Agreements between the governments of Russia and Kazakhstan on establishing an International Centre for Uranium Enrichment and opening trade missions were signed in the presence of the heads of state.
Following the talks both countries’ leaders made press statements and answered journalists’ questions.
Vladimir Putin highly praised the development of relations between Russia and Kazakhstan. In reference to cooperation in the energy sector, the Russian head of state emphasised the importance of developing cooperation in high-tech that involves output on the market of other countries.
Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbaev laid a wreath on the Monument to the Defenders of the Fatherland in Astana. The presidents observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims.
The President of Kazakhstan showed Vladimir Putin the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The palace is a glass pyramid in which all the religions of the world are represented. It holds Central Asia’s largest Opera Hall. Vladimir Putin examined the plan for the development of Astana and looked at models of its buildings.
In the evening the President of Kazakhstan gave a formal dinner in honour of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.