The Russian news agency, Interfax, says the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has had talks with a visiting United States special envoy, Stephen Sestanovich, on the subject of economic cooperation.

Mr Sestanovich said after the meeting that relations between the two countries were developing well in every sphere, and America wanted to see this continue.

He also stressed the importance that the Kazakh presidential elections in January are free and fair, with all candidates having equal access to the media.