The Head of State noted the symbolism of the monument’s opening ceremony on the eve of the state holiday of the Constitution Day of Kazakhstan and stressed that August 29 is a special date in the modern history of Kazakhstan.
- On this day in 1949 nuclear weapons at the Semipalatinsk test site were first tested. As a result, more than 450 explosions, produced over forty years, affected millions of people. On August 29, 1991, by my decree, the Semipalatinsk test site was closed. Today, on the International Day against Nuclear Tests, in our capital city we are opening a new landmark memorial called The Wall of Peace, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
The President of Kazakhstan pointed out that our country, while preserving domestic political stability and public consent, consistently adheres to the principles of peace, friendship and mutual respect of nations and cultures, and noted that Kazakhstan's peace initiatives have already entered the annals of mankind, becoming a worthy example for contemporaries and future generations.
- The closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, the abandonment of the nuclear arsenal, the initiative to create a Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, World. XXI Century Manifesto, the Astana Process on Syria - all that is a concrete contribution of Kazakhstan to the global security strengthening, the Head of State said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that for centuries, mankind has repeatedly faced large-scale conflicts, manifestations of racial and religious intolerance that contributed to the emergence of real and mental "dividing lines" between peoples, and noted that today the world community has faced new challenges in the face of international terrorism and radical ideas.
- The Monument erected in Astana is an expressive call to know and remember the lessons of history, to honour and respect the peace and prosperity that we have created in our land. The Wall of Peace is another reminder to contemporaries of the value of peace and the inadmissibility of repeating the tragic pages of the past, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Kazakh leader has expressed his confidence that the memorial will become another recognizable landmark of the capital city and a popular object of the urban landscape environment.
- Our peacemaking message is, first of all, an appeal to future generations. In all languages we speak to the descendants Take care of peace!, the most important thing that everyone should have on earth!, Nursultan Nazarbayev has emphasized.
In conclusion, the President of Kazakhstan expressed his gratitude to Aktobe region for Beibitshilik Kabyrgasy monument (The Wall of Peace monument) erected for Astana’s 20th anniversary and wished the residents of the capital, city guests and all Kazakhstan’s nation happiness, peace and prosperity.
