Russia and Kazakhstan to run Baikonur together

The commission will be headed by the deputy prime ministers of the two countries who will have to solve many important problems, head of KazCosmos Talgat Musabayev said.

Speaking to MPs in Astana today, he also reported that the two sides have started to develop an all-embracing treaty on running Baikonur jointly. This means phased retreat from lease relations, Musabayev said.

Russia has been renting the Baikonur launch pad from Kazakhstan since 1994 and the lease contract is valid until 2050. Russia pays $115mln rent a year. Over 20 space rocket launches are carried out from Baikonur every year.

Voice of Russia, RIA, IF