ASTANA.  March 12. KAZINFORM /Rasul Bakhamov/ Over 17, 000 people will obrtain Kazakhstani citizenship. Secretary of State-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kanat Saudabayev has announced it today.

Delivering a speech at a session of the Citizenship Commission under the Kazakh President K. Saudabayev said that over 17, 000 applications on admission to RK citizenship had been received to date. Among the applicants are the Kazakhs and representatives of other nationalities who have arrived in our country from the CIS and non-CIS countries.

"On the threshold of Nauryz holiday we are glad to welcome new Kazakhstanis, and we would like to wish them happiness and wellbeing on new Motherland", Saudabayev said.  

As is known, more than 700, 000 people have already obtained Kazakhstani citizenship over the independence years.