Almaty. April 14. KazTAG - Vladimir Shtygashev, chair of the Supreme Council of Khakassia, has apologized to Kazakhstani people for his statements concerning the lands of Kazakhstan, reported the Russian mass media sources.
"I am so sorry that my statements have been misinterpreted and drew the indignation and misunderstanding of the fraternal people (of Kazakhstan-KazTAG). If I unintentionally offended someone with my words I sincerely apology," he said.
"I sincerely regret that a number of my thoughts reported in some media sources occasioned ambiguous interpretation. (...) I am really surprised that my thoughts how the borders of the Russian empire changed, then the USSR, from historical point of view, were taken so strangely," he said.
"I have never talked about historical rights and territorial claims to any states, including Kazakhstan. They are our neighbors, our friends and partners," he added.
As reported, Vladimir Shtygashev declared about historical right of Russiavfor some territories of the former USSR, including Eastern Kazakhstan on April 9 during the session of presidium of the Supreme Council of Khakassia.