Russia, Kazakhstan to forge military cooperation

Russia, Kazakhstan to forge military cooperation

22.05.2008, 18.02

ASTANA, May 22 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia and Kazakhstan intend to forge military-technical cooperation, the presidents of the countries Dmitry Medvedev and Nursultan Nazarbayev said in a joint statement adopted upon results of the negotiations here on Thursday.

“Russia and Kazakhstan intend to broaden relations and strengthen military-technical cooperation considering them as an important component of mutual strategic partnership in view of ensuring regional and global security,” the statement runs.

“Russia and Kazakhstan will maintain close cooperation aimed at securing a solid joint defense within the common military strategic space under the Collective Security Treaty signed on May 15, 1992,” the document said.

In the struggle with terrorism the presidents agreed “to expand constantly the cooperation” and reaffirmed “the determination to combat any forms of discrimination and the activities of some organisations and individuals aimed at fanning up ethnic strife in the two countries.”

Meanwhile, in the joint statement the leaders of the countries stated about their intentions “to continue regular political contacts, cooperate in the development of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Cooperation Organisation and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.”