EU welcomes President Nazarbayev's decision to cancel referendum

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BRUSSELS. February 2. KAZINFORM /Dimash Syzdykov/ The European Union welcomes the decision of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to cancel the referendum on extending president's powers, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in her statement.

Mrs. Ashton welcomed the decision of President Nazarbayev "to put an end to the initiative on the extension of his powers till 2020 through the national referendum, after the Constitutional Council recognized the amendments inconsistent with the Constitution."

"On the basis of implementation of fundamental rights stipulated by the Constitution, President N. Nazarbayev performed an action that would serve the long-term interests of Kazakhstan. Early presidential election, which I hope will be free and fair, should be the basis for further confirmation by Kazakhstan of its compliance with generally accepted democratic standards", the statement reads.

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