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Minister for Europe welcomes announcement of elections in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev announced he will call presidential elections this year.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE
• Published: 1 February 2011

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Europe David Lidington said:

“I have followed closely recent moves in Kazakhstan to extend the President’s term in office until 2020 without further elections. In the light of Constitutional Council’s rejection of the proposal for a referendum, I welcome President Nazarbayev’s declared intention to call Presidential elections later this year. This is an important reaffirmation of Kazakhstan’s commitment to a democratic course. The Kazakh authorities will have our full support in ensuring that the elections are held in accordance with accepted international standards.”

Published 1 February 2011