US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage will visit Russia and Kazakhstan from Tuesday to Saturday on counter terrorism cooperation with the two countries, the State Department said in a statement on Monday.

"The deputy secretary will travel first to Moscow, where he will co-chair with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak a meeting of the US-Russia Counter terrorism Working Group," the statement said.

The working group will exchange information on a broad range of terrorism issues and explore specific areas of counter terrorism cooperation, the statement said.

While in Kazakhstan, Armitage will meet senior government officials as well as nongovernmental leaders, the statement said.

"The deputy secretary will thank Kazakhstan for its support in the global war on terror, especially its participation on coalition operation in Iraq and discuss political and economic reform, energy and investment issues," the statement said.

Russia and Kazakhstan have been partners with the United States on the war against terrorism and Kazakhstan sends some 27 troops to Iraq to support the US-led multinational coalition forces there.

Source: Xinhua