Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "we often use the word 'historic,' perhaps rendering its meaning trite. But in this case it is true: this is a historic event in relations between our two countries."
Putin was in the Kazakh capital Astana to attend the inauguration of President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who won another seven-year term in elections in December. International observers criticized the vote as deeply flawed.
Putin and Nazarbaev also discussed energy and trade, and signed an agreement to establish a Eurasian development bank.
Nazarbaev said Russia will be the first foreign country that he will visit in his new term.
(ITAR-TASS, Interfax-Kazakhstan, Kazinform)
Kazakhstan's Presidential Election
RFE/RL's complete coverage and background of Kazakhstan's presidential election on December 4, 2005.
