Russia: Putin praises former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev

W/S Russian President Vladimir Putin arriving at meeting with Government members
M/S Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister for Sport, Tourism and Cultural Development Olga Golodets
SOT, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia (Russian): “We can see what kind of political events are happening in the neighboring country, at our closest ally, they are connected with the change in power. We hope that the continuity of power will be ensured, but due to the fact that Nursultan Nazarbayev left his post, we have every reason to express our gratitude for the joint work and to wish him health and success. He is one of the initiators of advanced integration between our countries. He is one of the authors, if not the main author of the Eurasian Economic Community, a project that is developing very successfully thanks to his direct support and participation. For our part, we will do everything to support these processes.” *MULTIPLE SHOTS AT SOURCE*
M/S Prime Minister of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov
W/S Meeting
SCRIPT
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, speaking in a government meeting in Moscow on Wednesday.
“We have every reason to express our gratitude for the joint work and to wish him health and success,” said Putin.
“He is one of the authors, if not the main author of the Eurasian Economic Community, a project that is developing very successfully thanks to his direct support and participation. For our part, we will do everything to support these processes,” Putin added.
Nazarbayev, 78, has been the leader of Kazakhstan since 1990. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2020. Until that time Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, takes over Kazakhstan's presidency.