In the first quarter of 2000 Russia paid Kazakhstan one fourth of the rent for the Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakh Minister for Energy, Industry and Trade Vladimir Shkolnik announced on Monday.
Russia is expected to make further payments in “live money” at the end of every quarter of the year. At the same time, this issue “has not been completely solved,” he said. Therefore, a scheme of mixed payments similar to the one applied last year is possible, he said.
The annual rent for the Baikonur cosmodrome is $115 million. Under an earlier agreement, Russia paid Kazakhstan $50 million in cash and supplied Kazakhstan with commodities and services worth $65 million in 1999.
In addition to this, Russia has put about $950 million into the restoration of the cosmodrome’s technical systems since 1994, which “has helped Russia to save its position on the space services market,” Shkolnik said.
On the whole, Shkolnik said he positively assesses Russia’s cooperation with Kazakhstan, which is steadily developing. The two states are implementing major projects in the energy, oil and gas sectors and in space exploration.
Among these projects is the agreement currently being drafted on the joint use of space intended for 2000-2005, he said.
Meanwhile in other news from Kazakhstan, the government is planning to join the regime of control over missile know-how this year, Kazakh Minister of Energy, Industry and Trade Vladimir Shkolnik has told Interfax.
This will allow Kazakhstan to play an equal part in the implementation of joint space projects, including with Russia, he said.
He said his ministry is making efforts to attain this goal.
The regime of control over missile know-how is an informal and voluntary union of countries which support the regime of non- proliferation of missiles as a means of delivering weapons of mass destruction. It was established in April 1987 and was joined by Russia in 1995.
