MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has highly praised the capabilities of military cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan.
"We view Kazakhstan as our key strategic partner both in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and bilateral relations," Ivanov said at a meeting with his Kazakh counterpart Mukhtar Altynbayev in Moscow on Friday.
"We are planning to move further in this direction, including drafting plans for the joint use of troops in the interests of security for Russia and Kazakhstan," the Russian defense minister said.
Ivanov said Russia is ready to grant special privileges to Kazakh military specialists studying at its military academies.
The defense minister also expressed confidence that in 2004, Russia will start delivering weapons to Collective Security Treaty Organization member at its domestic prices. This measure in envisioned in the organization's charter.
Altynbayev said that the Russian president's recent visit to Kazakhstan has contributed favorably to the two countries' relations, including their military cooperation.