Kazakhstan is the first among CIS and Islamic countries to welcome Asian Winter Games

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ASTANA. January 30. KAZINFORM. Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev has participated in the solemn opening ceremony of the VII Asian Games in Astana, the President's press service informs.

"This tournament is the biggest sporting event for Asia this year. Kazakhstan is the first among the CIS states and Islamic countries to hold such a continental forum. It is a bright evidence of respect and confidence in Kazakhstan," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

"I express gratitude to honored guests who accepted the invitation and arrived to take part in the opening ceremony. First of all, I'd like to thank President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge. Today the Olympic Games are the threads of friendship to unite the nations and countries. I am confident the spirit of the Asian Games will pull us together."

Winding up the speech the President declared the VII Asian Games open.

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