AKIPRESS.COM - Relations between Moscow and Astana are developing in the best possible way, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Tass reported.

"Our relations are both friendly and businesslike. And everything is really developing in the most dynamic scenario, in the best possible way. We are in constant contact," the Russian president told his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during talks in Astana.

Putin pointed to the fact that "a whole series of documents have been prepared [for the current talks]: a joint statement and a whole package [of agreements] in various areas." "Russia remains one of the largest trade and economic partners [of Kazakhstan], with a trade turnover of almost $28.5 billion last year. It is growing, investments are decent - $13 billion in the Kazakh economy," the Russian president noted.

"Of course, we attach great importance to the development of humanitarian ties between civic societies, education, science," Putin pointed out. According to him, the majority of foreign students studying in Russia are from Kazakhstan. The Russian leader also noted the success of interregional cooperation.

Putin thanked Tokayev for his constant attention to the development of relations between Russia and Kazakhstan. "We feel it, we feel the attention of the president of Kazakhstan. We consider Kazakhstan as our reliable friend," Putin emphasized.