Astana turned into capital of independent state - Vladimir Putin

ASTANA. KAZINFORM - President of Russia Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations on Astana's 20th anniversary in a documentary timed to the historical landmark for the entire Kazakhstan, Kazinform reports.

In the documentary Vladimir Putin shares the memories of the first visit to Astana in early 2000s. "I can say that I saw how the city and independent Kazakhstan were developed with my own eyes. Initially it was a small, modest Soviet town. What has happened to the city over the past two decades is a miracle, one of the brightest events not only for Kazakhstan, but for the entire region. Astana has indeed turned into the capital of the independent state. It is quite obvious that President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev deserved the credit for it," said Putin adding that it was Nazarbayev's idea to move the capital and create the brand new city.

According to President Putin, Astana has become the center of independent state all Kazakhstanis should be proud of.

"Astana is a mix of modern architecture and national style. It is a huge achievement of the entire Kazakhstan," he adds.

The documentary The Capital of the Great Steppe was made by Yerlan Bekkhozhin.