SOCHI, May 20 (RIA Novosti) - Presidents Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev were optimistic Saturday about relations between Russia and Kazakhstan at a meeting in the southern Russian resort city of Sochi.
Putin said the two countries had made progress in energy and security cooperation since the leaders' last meeting April in Moscow, when President Nursultan Nazarbayev made a two-day official visit, focusing on economic ties, scientific research including space, and bilateral cultural links.
Nazarbayev said a strong Russia was important for its partners and allies. He praised Putin's recent state of the nation address to parliament.
"You managed to touch upon very pressing issues to do with the country's security, demography and social situation," he said.
Putin also said Uzbek President Islam Karimov had proposed a meeting in a wider format involving four of five regional leaders in Central Asia.
