OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2012. Vladimir Putin will visit the city of Pavlodar in Kazakhstan on September 19, 2012 to take part, together with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, in the IX Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum.

The forum has been an annual event since 2003. This year’s forum will focus on innovation cooperation between the two countries. The plenary session will examine new interregional cooperation mechanisms in sustainable development and high technology, and opportunities for carrying out joint science and technology projects.

Mr Putin will also hold talks with Mr Nazarbayev during the visit, giving the two leaders the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation in priority sectors, regional integration, including with respect to the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space, and current regional and international issues.

Russian and Kazakhstani government officials and business leaders will meet during a number of events on the forum’s sidelines, and several bilateral agreements are expected to be signed.