MOSCOW. December 17. KAZINFORM /Narymbek Ismagulov/ Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation Zautbek Turisbekov along with 12 heads of other diplomatic missions presented credentials to President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. The presentation ceremony took place in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St Alexander Hall.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov and Assistant to the Russian President Sergey Prihodko also took part in the ceremony.

D. Medvedev addressed to the heads of foreign diplomatic missions with a welcoming speech. "Today's presentation of letters of credence opens a new chapter in your diplomatic work. I sincerely wish you success and hope that Russia's bilateral relations with your countries will develop effectively.

These last weeks before New Year are usually a time for summing up. This has obviously not been an easy year, and the global financial crisis has had a big impact on the international agenda. But aside from the crisis there have been positive moments too.

We are now in the process of building a new financial architecture and looking together for ways to guarantee the world's economic stability, and in this respect our coordinated action will play an ever more important part", - he said.

Addressing to the Head of Kazakhstani diplomatic mission D. Medvedev congratulated Kazakhstan on the Independence Day and touched the issues of further cooperation. "Today our good friend and ally, Kazakhstan, is celebrating its Independence Day national holiday. I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr Ambassador, and through you to send my best wishes to the entire Kazakhstani people on this important day.

We remain committed to our priority of strengthening our strategic partnership with Kazakhstan. This year, we established the customs union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. This is a big new step that will without doubt become one of the central pillars for long-term economic growth and the nucleus of modern integration development", - the Russian President said.