Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan will contribute to the strengthening of relations between Russian and Kazakhstan

On December 9, at the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met co-chairs of the Cooperation Commission between the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“It is very important to develop cooperation between our countries at the inter-parliamentary level,” Minnikhanov said, opening the meeting.

He said that the agenda of the Tatarstan-Kazakhstan interaction was very eventful in 2018. Thus, the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Kazan. Representatives of Tatarstan took part in the opening of the Astana International Financial Centre and the Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan with the participation of heads of the states. Also, the 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan was held in Kazan.

“This year we are also actively interacting. Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin attended the WorldSkills Competition this August. Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar took part in the World Urban Parks Congress in October. We also have good contacts with many regions of Kazakhstan,” Tatarstan President added.

Last year, the trade turnover between Tatarstan and Kazakhstan amounted to 700 million US dollars. “We need to intensify our work to reach 1 billion US dollars. This task has been set,” Tatarstan President said.

Minnikhanov briefed about the economic and industrial potential of Tatarstan, including the development of machine building, oil refining, petrochemicals and other branches of industry.

According to him, it is important to expand cooperation in the field of science and education. Currently, more than 1300 Kazakhstani students are studying at the universities of Tatarstan.

“We appreciate our high level of cooperation with Kazakhstan. Tatarstan will contribute to strengthening relations between Kazakhstan and Russia,” Minnikhanov added.