Kazakhstan, Astana, June 23 / Trend A. Maratov /
A joint Kazakh-Russian operational-tactic command and staff drills under the name "Shygys 2011" (East 2011) were launched in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Defense Ministry said. Drills will continue for several days.
"The operational groups of the Kazakh and Russian armed forces discussed the plan of action while conducting the special operation", the defense ministry said.
Deputy Chief of the Staff of the Central Military District of Russia, Major-General Sergei Chuvakin, said that military cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan has its own past.
Commander of Land Forces of Kazakhstan Lieutenant-General Murat Maykeev stressed that mutual cooperation strengthens with each year thanks to consistent policy making by the leadership of both countries.