Minister for Europe welcomes announcement of elections in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev announced he will call presidential elections this year.
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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.”