Russia hopes for continuity of Kazakhstan’s policy after Nazarbayev’s resignation - Putin

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked Nursultan Nazarbayev for his efforts to deepen integration and expressed the hope that the continuity of Kazakhstan’s policy after his resignation would be ensured. "We see what political events take place in our neighboring country, our close ally. They are related to the change of political leadership. We express the hope that the continuity will be ensured," said Putin, opening a traditional meeting with members of the government. "Due to the fact that Nursultan Abishevich Nabazarbayev stepped down as the head of state, we have every reason to thank him for the joint work and wish him good health and every success," the president said. Putin recalled that Nazarbayev was one of the initiators of advanced integration between Russia and Kazakhstan. "He is one of the authors, if not the author of the Eurasian Economic Community, a project, which was developing very successfully, thanks, in particular, to his immediate support and his involvement in that work," the Russian leader added. Putin assured that, for its part, Russia would do its utmost to support that process. Kazakhstan’s first president Nursultan Nazarbayev, 78, announced his surprise resignation on Tuesday after 30 years in power. In his address to the nation, Nazarbayev said he would remain Chairman of the Security Council, the Nur Otan People’s Democratic Party and a member of the Constitutional Council. The presidential powers were transferred to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Speaker of Kazakhstan’s upper house of parliament, the Senate, who was sworn in as the Central Asian state’s interim president on Wednesday. Read more