The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is meeting in Astana. Taking part are President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

A summit meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council was held in Minsk. Taking part were President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Dmitry Medvedev: Distinguished members of the press, today I had an unscheduled meeting with my counterparts from Belarus and Kazakhstan. We agreed to meet somewhat spontaneously, but I think the meeting was productive.

Dmitry Medvedev’s opening remarks at the meeting of the prime ministers of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan:

Good afternoon. We quickly organised this meeting of the prime ministers of the Common Economic Space (CES) in Moscow to discuss current issues, including a very important one – a draft treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union.

The profound and pervasive crisis in Ukraine is a matter of grave concern for Russia. We understand perfectly well the position of a country which became independent just over 20 years ago and still faces complex tasks in constructing a sovereign state. Among them is the search for a balance of interests among its various regions, the peoples of which have different historical and cultural roots, speak different languages and have different perspectives on their past and present, and their country's future place in the world.

The President of Russia met with media representatives to answer a number of their questions, in particular with regard to the situation in Ukraine.

Congratulating President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Vladimir Putin stresses that active joint work in 2013 contributed to the fruitful development of relations between the two countries in various areas. It also expedited integration within the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space and the work to create the Eurasian Economic Union.

Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev had a narrow format meeting to discuss the main areas of integration between the three states and the progress in forming the Eurasian Economic Union.

Prior to the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting, Vladimir Putin met with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Since December 1, 2013 visa requests by spectators of the Games shall be accepted through specially designated “Olympic windows” in Russian consulates, as well as visa centers (if any). If there is no possibility of organizing “Olympic windows”, the visa applications of the Games spectators will be processed out of turn. On request of the spectator the visa can be issued on the same day.

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Friends, ladies and gentlemen,

As in past years, the atmosphere at this 10th anniversary Russia-Kazakhstan Forum was business-like and constructive. First during the meeting with President of Kazakhstan Mr Nazarbayev, and then at the plenary session, we discussed the most topical matters concerning our multifaceted partnership.

Vladimir Putin and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took part in the 10th Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum, with Industrial Cooperation as the anniversary event’s theme.