19 June 2004 17:24
Kazakh president, Putin discuss energy, Single Economic Space
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have held bilateral talks in
Almaty. The heads of state discussed cooperation in the energy sector and the setting up of the Single Economic Space.
The following is excerpt from the report aired by Kazakh Khabar TV on 19 June; subheadings inserted editorially:
[Presenter] Vladimir Putin today flew from Astana to Almaty at the invitation of Kazakh President Nursultan
Nazarbayev. The Russian president is on a visit to Kazakhstan within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community
summit. The main subjects of the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev were the development of
economic ties and integration within the Single Economic Space. Sergey Nasyrov reports:
[Correspondent] Vladimir Putin accepted Nursultan Nazarbayev's invitation to visit the southern capital [Almaty]
and conduct bilateral talks. These started as early as during the flight.
[Passage omitted: Putin came to Almaty from Astana]
Energy cooperation
The meeting of the two leaders took place at the mountain complex Chimbulak.
Vladimir Putin noted that big Russian-Kazakh projects were currently being implemented in various industries.
[Putin] I would like to brief you on the current plans of our energy enterprises for the development of the mutual
agreements we have. I think it would be beneficial for Kazakhstan to join the plans of our energy enterprises because it
would allow Kazakhstan to gain access to European markets - electricity and raw materials [markets].
[Nazarbayev] On energy issues, major undertakings are taking shape in relation to power stations in Ekibastuz
[northern Kazakhstan] and the major joint [oil] deposit Kurmangazy in the Caspian Sea - our and your oilmen are working
there. There are also new deposits.
A pipeline that we agreed to build to China is connected to the pipeline running from western Siberia to southern
Turkmenistan. This pipeline could become a very close and profitable export route for Russian oil to booming western
China. So, we have things to talk about.
Single Economic Space
[Correspondent] Another important topic was integration within the framework of the Single Economic Space [members
are Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus].
[Putin] My meeting with [Ukrainian President] Leonid Kuchma is planned to take place soon. We should compare our
positions, as you said, and some processes can be pushed forward, taking into account the fact that experts can fulfil
the instruction we gave them and can draft a package of documents by the autumn or at least by the end of the year.
These will need to be agreed and signed, in the best-case scenario, by the end of this year as part of the work to
create the Single Economic Space.
[Nazarbayev] You know my opinion on this issue. I am committed to what we decided at one time in Moscow on the Single
Economic Space of the four states. I see it as the quintessence of the integration processes in the former Soviet Union.
We can accomplish it in a nice way. It will be beneficial for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan alike. It will be
a good example of independent and sovereign states deciding on a common economic area and agreeing all tariffs. All the
countries will gain from this. This can be a good example of genuine integration in the post-Soviet space. I highly rate
your personal support. This is precisely why it is progressing so successfully, as we can see now.
[Correspondent] Following the bilateral talks the Russian president left for home.
[Khabar Television] |
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