Moscow expects that the first space launch within the framework of the Russian-Kazakh Baiterek project will take place before the end of the year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday after talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Moscow.

"Close cooperation in the sphere of space research is maintained, the joint operation of the Baikonur spaceport continues, and the Baiterek project is being implemented to build a new rocket and space complex for the launch of Russia’s Soyuz-5 carrier rockets," Putin said.

"We expect that the first launch from Baiterek will take place before the end of this year," he added.

The Baiterek project envisages launches of Russia's Soyuz-5 carrier rockets from the Baikonur spaceport. The Kazakh side is currently preparing the ground infrastructure.

Kazakh President Tokayev’s state visit to Russia is taking place on November 11-12.