20:25, 25 December 2009 | GMT +5
Next year – Year of Snow Leopard must bring us success and happiness – President
ASTANA. December 25. KAZINFORM /Kanat Kulshmanov/ Next year - is the Year of Snow Leopard which must bring us success and happiness; President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has said it today at the New Year Party in the Palace of Independence in Astana.

"The next year - is the Year of Snow Leopard. As you remember I chose the snow leopard as the symbol for Kazakhstan's development till 2030 - a high-mountain animal. Snow leopards live deep in the mountains. This animal does not attack the first. It attacks only to protect itself and its family. It is healthy, springy and strong. That is why I chose this animal. And the next year - the Year of Snow Leopard must bring us success and happiness", - the Head of the State stated.