The Russian defence minister, Igor Sergeyev, is in Kazakhstan for talks on military co-operation and regional security.

On arrival, Mr Sergeyev said he also wanted to discuss arrangements for the continued lease to Russia of military test-sites in Kazakhstan.

Correspondents say Russia owes Kazakhstan twenty-eight million dollars for leasing the sites, and has proposed repaying the debt with military equipment.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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