Ivanov is certain that the level of bilateral cooperation will steadily increase "until working out of plans on joint use of troops in order to ensure security of Russia and Kazakhstan," he said.
"Russia is ready to meet all wishes of the Kazakh part on training of its military personnel in Russian universities on favorable terms," the Russian minister emphasized.
He is also positive that in 2004 the two countries will start practical realization of the clause of the Collective Security Treaty Organization's charter on supply of Russian weapons to the Organization's member states (the CST comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan) at domestic Russian prices, "including to meet the needs of our fleets in the Caspian Sea." Altynbayev in his turn pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Astana had had a positive influence not only on the public political climate and bilateral relations in general, but also on military cooperation.
At the talks the parties are expected to sign an agreement on bilateral military cooperation.
