– This allowed us to create the most favorable conditions for the construction of statehood and provided a powerful resource for the formation of the image of modern Kazakhstan. The main tuning fork here is the preamble to the country's Constitution, which begins with the words - "We are the people of Kazakhstan, united by a common historical destiny," the First President of Kazakhstan said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev also pointed to the achievements of Kazakhstan in socio-economic development and improving the well-being of the population.
– A modern market economy has been built almost from scratch, and cardinal reforms have been successfully implemented. Kazakhstan is one of the 50 most developed countries in the world and a group of countries with an upper-middle income. Kazakhstan has become an authoritative and reliable member of the global family of nations – our flag is flying proudly at the UN headquarters. We consistently promote our national interests and priorities in the international arena. The state borders of Kazakhstan are legally fixed and recognized by all countries of the world, " the First President of Kazakhstan said.
Elbasy stressed that Kazakhstan's leadership in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation has set a new moral standard in the world community. In addition, special attention was paid to the integration projects initiated by Kazakhstan, such as the EAEU, CICA, the Turkic Council, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
- The multi-vector policy has allowed us to establish ourselves as a peace-loving nation, focused on cooperation and ensuring peace. Independence has become a time of justice for us. As a result of self-determination, the Kazakh people revived their national spirit and great history. We have restored and opened to the world the priceless treasury of the cultural heritage of the Great Steppe – it has become an organic part of the heritage of all mankind. All this represents an epochal act of great significance. Another evidence of the capabilities of our country was the city of Turkestan, built in just over two years, " Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The First President of Kazakhstan noted that today Kazakhstan is entering a new responsible period, which coincided with the period of the pandemic, the strengthening of the crisis phenomena in the global economy and the aggravation of the geopolitical rivalry of the world's leading players.
– These and other unfavorable circumstances cannot but have a negative impact on the development of our state. I am deeply convinced that under these conditions, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev continues to pursue a comprehensively calculated and verified policy, which we all need to support. It serves the interests of all Kazakhstanis and the goals of further development of our nation, " Elbasy said.
In his speech, Nursultan Nazarbayev focused on five principles, according to which the state policy and the new identity of the nation should be built in the coming years. These are: the principle of Kazakhstan's patriotism, based on trust and interaction between the state and citizens; the principle of civil equality; the principle of the unifying role of the state language; the principle of "Unity in Diversity", which is actually actively supplemented by the principle of interculturalism; the principle of constant modernization of the nation.
- The Assembly should take these principles as a basis for determining the strategy for further work. It is also important to take measures to improve the effectiveness of the APK as an effective institution of social development in the new environment. The institutions of the Assembly should be ready at any time to resist any challenge that may harm our model of inter-ethnic harmony, " the First President of Kazakhstan said.
Elbasy also pointed out the need to continue the focused and systematic integration of all ethnic and social groups in the Kazakh society.
– All these years, I have always put the unity of the people, well-being and harmony, security, stability and tranquility of citizens in the first place. I wanted our Homeland to be the epicenter of peace, so that the tragedy of wars, bloody religious and inter-ethnic conflicts would never darken the lives of our fellow citizens. Today we can state that this dream of mine has come true. And the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, created on my initiative in 1995, also played a role in this, " Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The first President of Kazakhstan stressed that peace and harmony in the country is the soil on which all Kazakhstanis live, work and build their future.
– The main idea is that we should take care of what we have achieved on a daily basis. We will maintain stability and cohesion within Kazakhstan only if we live in the interests of the whole society. We should not give an opportunity to shake the foundations of Kazakhstan's society from the outside, " Elbasy said.
In conclusion, Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed gratitude to all the members of the Assembly for the constant support of his course of development of the country.
– As you know, in accordance with the Constitutional Law "On the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy" and the Law "On the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan", I have the right to head the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan for life. At the same time, a number of powers to manage the Assembly are assigned to the President of our country. The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan should be close to the President as a support. Therefore, I decided to transfer the right to head the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. I am convinced that today's decision will serve the interests of the Assembly and will help our President to build in unison all the current work and plans for the future of our citizens, our society and our state, " the First President of Kazakhstan said.
In turn, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed to assign the status of Honorary Chairman of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan to Nursultan Nazarbayev.
– I appeal to you, dear Elbasy Nursultan Abishevich, with a request to accept our common offer to become the Honorary Chairman of the Assembly. This status rightfully belongs to you because of your historical services to our people and state. I am sure that all members of the Assembly will support this proposal, " the Head of State said.