国际英语新闻：Russia to stay in Kazakh cosmodrome for economic reasons

MOSCOW, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Russia will never leave the Baikonur cosmodrome rented in Kazakhstan, even upon the completion of its new Vostochny space launch site, the head of Russia's Space agency Roskosmos said on Monday.

Anatoly Perminov told local media that "We will not abandon Baikonur till the end of times...space cooperation with Kazakhstan would be gradually switched to the entirely commercial tracks."

According to Perminov, Kazakhstan has already offered Russia to use one of Baikonur's launching pads for commercial launches after Russia's shift to the Vostochny cosmodrome of its main space operation.

Besides, Baikonur will be used for Russian-Ukrainian joint commercial launches.

In addition, Perminov revealed that Russia plans to use the Kourou launch site in French Guiana this year, and eyes cooperation agreements with Israel, Vietnam, Nigeria, Belarus, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

The Vostochny cosmodrome is being constructed in Amur region, which would become Russia's point of origin for space travels to the Moon planned by 2025.

Roskosmos plans to complete the building of Vostochny infrastructure by the end of 2011, Perminov said.