As is known, in the beginning of 20th century, Russia and Kazakhstan were a unified state. After the October Revolution of 1917 unification of Russia and Kazakhstan was confirmed in a decree of VTsIK and SNK RSFSR of August 26, 1920 “On the formation of the Kirghiz (Kazakh) Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic”, according to which Kazakhstan became a member of the RSFSR. After the collapse of the USSR relations between the neighboring countries reached a new level of development. In the early 90s, a number of documents were signed that laid the political and legal basis for bilateral relations in the modern period. They identified the areas of the closest partnership between two states.

This includes cooperation in the military, economic, cultural, humanitarian and environmental spheres. Signing of the Treaty on Economic Union in September, 1993 became a serious legal basis for the development of economic relations between Russia and Kazakhstan. Signing of the Agreement 'On the basic principles of cross-border cooperation of the states-parties to the Treaty on the deepening of integration in economic and humanitarian spheres,' of March 29, 1996 was a major event in the development and strengthening of cross-border ties between the CIS countries. It defined the scope of the development of border areas. Scientific and practical foundations of realization of the ILO decent work concept in the EAEU states The article deals with the definition and the role of the decent work concept of the International Labour Organisation as an effective and appropriate response to the challenges of globalization. The author analyzes the fundamental strategic goals of the concept, scientific and practical aspects of their implementation in labour law of Eurasian Economic Union states, as well as considers the basic points of view of scientist and representatives of EAEU states on the decent work concept.

International legal questions of environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context in the Caspian Sea region The article examines the emergence and development of the international legal regime for the protection of the marine environment of the Caspian Sea from pollution from all sources, including the protection, conservation, restoration and sustainable and rational use of the biological resources of the Caspian Sea. Particular attention is paid to the importance of the development and adoption in the near future of the Protocol on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context in the Caspian Sea region. Legality of use of forces for self-defence in international relations The present article deals with two key criteria for determining the legality of self-defence in international relations – necessity and proportionality. These principles are decisive for differentiating self-defence from reprisals that are prohibited in contemporary international law.