OREANDA-NEWS. July 20, 2009. During the visit Nursultan Nazarbayev at the invitation of Dmitry Medvedev took part in the celebration of 175th anniversary of the Central Moscow Hippodrome, where annual horse races were held for the prize of the President of Russia, reported the Official website akorda.kz.

Here, in an informal atmosphere, the Head of State held bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan.

Further development of bilateral relations was discussed in a conversation with Dmitry Medvedev. In particular, the meeting touched upon a preparation for the Forum for Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia and joint work in the Customs Union.

- That is the issue number one in our inter-state relations, - Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed.

- We are fully confident that the Customs Union will start functioning in January next year, and it will be a very serious step towards integration. I am convinced that the Customs Union will arouse interest of other CIS members. There are few wishing already, - noted the President of Kazakhstan.

- This is a very important step - Dmitry Medvedev stressed.

At a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev were discussed issues on intensification of two countries relations in cultural, humanitarian and economic spheres.