New Government Formed In Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has finished forming a new government today after the January 10 confirmation of Karim Masimov as the country's new prime minister.

The new foreign minister is Marat Tazhin, who replaces Qasymzhomart Toqaev. Toqaev, a long-time foreign minister and also once prime minister, was elected chairman of the Senate.

The former chairman of the Senate, Nurtai Abykaev, was named Kazakhstan's ambassador to Russia.

Viktor Khrapunov, the governor of the East Kazakhstan province, is now the minister for emergency situations. Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov remains as interior minister.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev said he has signed the appropriate decrees naming all the new ministers.

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