Distinguished members of the Assembly!

Dear participants!

Our country will soon celebrate the Day of Unity of the People of Kazakhstan. This is a very important holiday for our country, as it symbolizes harmony, peace and accord. This date has special significance, because the strength of the foundations of our sacred Homeland is directly related to the inviolability of our unity. This is an undeniable truth.

It has become a good tradition to hold an annual plenary session of the Assembly on the eve of the People’s Unity Day. This session is the largest event held at the state level in springtime. Very important proposals for our country are announced here. At last year’s session, I proposed to submit amendments to the Constitution to a national referendum. Our people then made a historic choice by voting in favor of the constitutional amendments. This was the first referendum since the adoption of our Fundamental Law.

When this initiative was announced, we had just embarked on the path of decisive transformations. We defined a goal and proposed a concrete action plan. Securing popular support was very important at that historic moment. At the same time, there were a variety of proposals, including introducing amendments through Parliament. We decided to take into account the opinion of every citizen.

We relied on the fundamental principle that the people are the only source of state power. As a result, we discovered the truth of popular wisdom that “a fur coat sewn together will not be short”. The work done during the year demonstrates that the referendum played a great historical role. It mobilized all our people to build a Fair Kazakhstan. Citizens demonstrated strong national unity at a crucial moment. This is the decisive outcome of the referendum and the main achievement of our people. Political and economic reforms cannot be implemented without unity and stability. This is obviously right. But unity is not only the path to our goal, but also one of the main pillars of our statehood. I have repeatedly said that the independence and territorial integrity of our country is the highest priority. The unity of the people is inextricably linked with these unshakable values. This is the only way we can build our bright future.

Peace and harmony should be perceived not only as a state ideology, but also as an integral part of our public and personal life and work. This should not be just an empty slogan, but the common stance of every citizen. Our people understand firsthand the true meaning of unity and peace. These are enduring values of the representatives of all ethnicities who have survived hard times and found shelter on the Kazakh land. Thanks to the recognition of and respect for these values, our people live in peace. This is an unprecedented achievement!

Every citizen must work tirelessly to strengthen unity. This work should never stop.  After all, only where there is unity, there will be life. We must always be true to this unshakable principle. Not everyone is aware of the importance of peace and harmony, so the need for an Assembly is sometimes called into question. In fact, the Assembly is a key institution that strengthens the foundation of our statehood. The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan is a unique structure that serves to strengthen our unity. The Assembly unites all ethnic groups living on the sacred Kazakh land. Citizens that are part of the Assembly can be called messengers of unity. I am confident that all of you will fulfill this important mission with dignity.

Dear compatriots!

Since the 31st session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, our country experienced fundamental changes. The political system has been systemically transformed, and a new, more democratic model of government has been created. The power has been decentralized: from the President to the Parliament, from the center to the regions. The single seven-year term of the presidency is enshrined in law and is not subject to revision. A mixed model of the formation of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) and maslikhats (local executive bodies) has been introduced. The oversight functions of Parliament have been strengthened, and rule-making procedures have been optimized.

The process to register a political party has been simplified, a mechanism for revoking the mandates of members of Parliament has been introduced, akims (governors) of regions are appointed on an alternative basis with the consent of members of maslikhats. As a result, opportunities for citizens to participate in the governance of the country have significantly expanded. Thanks to innovations in the electoral system, including the introduction of direct elections of rural akims (mayors), people have practical tools to influence local authorities.

With the creation of the Constitutional Court and the granting of a constitutional status to the Commissioner for Human Rights, the human rights sphere has substantially strengthened. I am convinced that the new state model supported at the referendum fully meets the aspirations of our people and the universally recognized principles of democratic development. It ensures regular rotation of power and stability of the political system. It strengthens the development of Kazakhstan exclusively on democratic principles and open political competition. During the large-scale transformations, special attention was paid to the Assembly.

This unique institution has acquired new tools of parliamentary representation, which fully corresponds to the best international practice. Five members of the Senate, appointed by the President on the proposal of the Assembly, are called upon at the legislative level to provide feedback, public oversight and represent the interests of all ethnic groups of Kazakhstan in Parliament.

In addition, 12 members of the Assembly joined the National Kurultai (Council), bringing invaluable experience in promoting a universal model of national dialogue.

It should be emphasized that the Assembly (APK) has played an important role in the political modernization of the country, strengthening national unity. The APK contributed to the expansion of public support for reforms, the involvement of all ethnic groups in solving strategic tasks of the development of the state. Thus, in its geopolitical environment, Kazakhstan has become the only country that implements such profound transformations. Obviously, it will not be easy for us, but it is impossible to turn off this path or slow down under any circumstances. We must always remember that the interests of the country are above all, and the interests of citizens are at the center of everything. Therefore, all our reforms are primarily aimed at strengthening statehood and ensuring the well-being of citizens.

The program of political reforms has become a new real and attractive platform for the integration of all ethnic groups into a single nation. The new model of the political system should become a well-coordinated mechanism with the inclusion of key state institutions in it. A new system of political coordinates, harmonious interethnic relations aimed at development and creation are being built in a new way within the framework of this model. The election campaigns and the referendum held last year clearly demonstrated our unity. They also made it possible to increase the level of mutual trust between the state and society and showed the unity of the position of all citizens regarding the future of the country. Thanks to the strengthening of civic identity, the past election campaigns were free from ethnic or other narrow preferences, or archaic stereotypes.

The main factor was the general civil motives of choice, which reflected real political competition, a variety of views and ideas. Now we have entered the practical stage of building a Just and Fair Kazakhstan. New ideas, new institutions, new social relations are being actively formed in society – these are real reforms that change the face of society and the state. What we recently talked about as strategic plans has become a tangible reality. Tomorrow is gradually turning into Today. We make decisive decisions together, we build our common future together. And I am deeply convinced that such unity of goals will certainly serve as a powerful engine for our reforms. By and large, this is our most important and invaluable achievement.

Dear participants of the session!

True democracy, not in words, but in deeds, creates the most favorable conditions for the progressive development of the nation and the rooting of the idea of citizenship. We can safely say that during the years of Independence we have formed a new national identity. How does it manifest itself and what are its symbols?

To answer this question, it is not necessary to develop artificial ideological concepts, engage in interpretations and reflections. In fact, everything lies on the surface.

Our turquoise passport and sky-blue flag are the real symbols of our identity, conditioned by history itself and finding a lively response in the hearts of millions of people.

Our passport gives a person the full scope of rights and obligations related to citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan, regardless of ethnic origin, religious views, or social status. To have our passport means to be a citizen of a country respected in the international arena, to be able to freely visit all countries and feel like an integral part of the modern world. This means feeling protected always and everywhere by your state. The passport of Kazakhstan embodies the progressive values on which our unity and harmony are based. In turn, the sky-blue flag of Kazakhstan vividly embodies our sacred Independence and centuries-old statehood. Whenever our banner is raised aloft at major international sports competitions and other similar events, we are overwhelmed with a sense of pride for our country.

Our famous compatriots – athletes, cultural figures, scientists, students, entrepreneurs, regardless of their ethnicity, are always called Kazakhs abroad. And this is natural, and it should be so.

Our society is a union of free and responsible citizens united by common ideals and values. And this is another vivid manifestation of our national identity. Therefore, today all our citizens feel like members of one large and unified Kazakh family, a nation. We are all one family, and these are not big words, but our actual reality.

At the same time, our ethno-cultural diversity, of which we are rightfully proud, will not disappear anywhere, but, on the contrary, will be further strengthened by a single civic foundation. We have developed our own special way of life, in which the traditions of different cultures merge into a solid fusion of national identity. This unique identity, having withstood the test of time, has become the core of public consciousness.

“Unity in diversity”, “We are different, but we are one” – these are not slogans, but the very essence of our daily life. This year, the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan fell on the days of the celebration of Nauryz. The date of Easter and Eid al-Fitr were celebrated close to each other. I see special symbolism in this. During the days of fasting, believers, as a rule, talk a lot about unshakable moral values, and express good wishes to each other. Similarly, Easter is a bright holiday, calling people to the highest humanistic ideals. Therefore, all these holidays have become common for millions of citizens of our country, regardless of their ethnicity. We are witnessing an amazing unity of our citizens. Representatives of all ethnic groups of our country adopt various aspects of the Kazakh way of life. You are well aware that many representatives of ethnic groups adhere to the traditions and customs of the Kazakh people. This is a natural process, because Kazakhstan has become a second home for them after their own house, where they were born, grew up, received an education, and created a family.

Such a close interweaving of traditions, interethnic and interfaith harmony, tolerance to other cultures is our priceless asset, our national brand, as they now say. The cultural and moral foundations of our united nation are also patriotism, courtesy, hospitality, diligence, respect for folk traditions and family foundations. Moreover, this, one might say, is the moral backbone of our entire society. The centuries-old ideas of our people about the inner moral core of each person were based on this. The formula of the Great Abai says: “Keep your mind, will and heart in balance, they all will make you a complete person.” Indeed, only people with a deep worldview and a high level of responsibility will be able to modernize society and lead our nation forward, uniting representatives of different ethnic groups and cultures.

In every citizen who has a sense of love for their Homeland, care and responsibility for the fate of his Fatherland, a new quality of our nation finds its embodiment. I believe this is the most optimal life philosophy for all citizens of Kazakhstan. And this, in my opinion, is the universal formula for harmonious interethnic relations in our country. Kazakhstan’s relations with other countries should be based on the principles of unity, peace and mutual understanding.  This, first and foremost, concerns neighboring, fraternal states, with which we are moving into the future together.

Recently, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov wrote warm words on social media about the brotherhood of the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples.

Indeed, we have common roots and a common destiny. We overcome difficulties and share success together. The great Abai said: “No Kazakh will doubt the common origin of the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs.” Mukhtar Auezov made a special contribution to the popularization of the poem “Manas” and its protection from ideological persecution. He treated Molda Kylysh and Chingiz Aitmatov as his brothers. Undoubtedly, this is a vivid example of the special closeness of the two peoples. The plots and characters of the works of Chingiz Aitmatov are closely connected with the Kazakh land. I am firmly convinced that two close people living near the slopes of Alatau will always be together. We must develop relations with other fraternal countries and neighboring states in the same spirit.

Distinguished participants of the session!

The Assembly is the most important element of our country’s political system. It makes a huge contribution to strengthening the unity of the country. Many of our citizens take part in the activities of the Assembly. Last year, the Assembly’s Development Concept was approved.

It identifies priority areas for further work. One of the main tasks is to involve the public in the formation of civic identity. It is also very important to establish a constructive dialogue between the state and civil society. Today, the Assembly is implementing projects of national importance that are aimed at promoting spiritual values common to all our people.

The Assembly actively supports volunteer and charity events, promoting qualities such as benevolence, compassion and care. Thanks to this, the idea of social responsibility has been established in society. The Assembly contributes to the development of the mediation institute. We are working closely with young people. This is a very large-scale and important area of work. In summary, the members of the Assembly are true patriots, devoted to their country, who work for the benefit of a bright future of Kazakhstan. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my public deputies – Taufiq Akramovich Karimov and Natalia Grigorievna Dementieva for their fruitful work during the year. And let me introduce the newly appointed deputies from ethno-cultural associations – Akbarjon Ismailov and Aurika Georgievna Dyak. I wish you success in your work!

Distinguished members of the Assembly!

Dear friends!

Today, the situation in the world is changing rapidly. New priorities are emerging. The most pressing issue is overcoming external challenges. The importance of protecting sovereignty and preserving national identity has increased for states. At the same time, it is necessary to pay more attention to the issues of ethnopolitics, since harmony and unity are the main guarantee of a successful state. I know that several specific issues were discussed during the session yesterday. It was noted that global and regional processes should be taken into account in ethnopolitics. This is a very relevant suggestion. In other words, the issues of interethnic relations should be regulated taking into account the requirements of the time. This work should be carried out in line with the ongoing large-scale reforms. A symbolic approach is unacceptable here, interethnic policy needs special attention and constant improvement. It is important to remember that none of the strategic tasks of the state, in fact, can be accomplished without the implementation of the fundamental, I would even say, sacred task of strengthening civil unity, national identity and ethno-social integrity of the country. In this regard, I suggest that we focus on the following priorities in our work.

FIRST. It is necessary to resolutely stop any provocations aimed at undermining our unity and harmony.

We see how the number of various kinds of falsifications or fakes, destructive publications have noticeably increased in the public field. The vast majority of their authors have nothing to do with Kazakhstan, they are trying to sow seeds of discord in our society, while acting from abroad. Their rhetoric and actions are aimed at creating an atmosphere of distrust, inciting discord between people, and undermining state security. Taking into account such trends, any incident of a criminal or domestic nature, through the efforts of ill-wishers, can be transferred to the interethnic domain and lead to serious consequences. You know that well. Therefore, as responsible citizens, we must resist any manifestations of radicalism, extremism and separatism, be delicate and, at the same time, tough and, ultimately, be fair.

Every citizen should closely link his future with Kazakhstan, which is the only way we can preserve the unity of the state. No one should be discriminated against because of their ethnic, linguistic or religious affiliation. There should be no separation on these grounds. We are the children of one sacred land, we are the sons and daughters of one Kazakhstan! We are all citizens bound by a common present and future. All provocations on interethnic, linguistic and social grounds will be strictly suppressed by the state within in line with the law. The Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Security Committee will keep this issue under special control and act in accordance with the law.

At the same time, every citizen of our country should be aware of responsibility for their words and actions. It is impossible to succumb to emotions, to be “led” to the agenda of enmity and hatred. We don’t need other people’s information wars and ideological disputes. Speaking about democracy, one should always remember that it is necessary to balance not only the rights and freedoms of a citizen, but also his duties and responsibilities.

Freedom should not be confused with permissiveness, and the culture of dialogue should not be perceived as a weakness. It has long been known that the freedom of one person ends where the freedom of another begins. We need to ensure strict observance of law and order to build a harmonious society. This is the main principle of building a Just and Fair State. For its implementation, it is necessary to ensure the inevitability of punishment for any offenses. The norms of the law should not work only in theory, but also in practice, and should apply to all citizens, regardless of their position in society or former merits.

On the other hand, it is necessary to consistently raise the legal culture of people, to cultivate creative values in the public consciousness. Every citizen should evaluate his/her words and actions in terms of the law, and clearly understand the legal consequences of his/her actions. “Yes to pluralism, no to radicalism,” – this principle remains unshakeable. An atmosphere of friendship and harmony, constructive dialogue and creative cooperation should prevail in our informational space and the public sphere. For Kazakhstan, these are not fictitious things or artificial categories. This is our history, our present, and, most importantly, our future.

We have absolutely convincing examples that emphasize the unity of our nation, friendship, tolerance and patriotism of our citizens. It is gratifying that the Assembly and its members are increasingly active in promoting the ideas of peace and harmony in social networks, responding promptly to provocations, and defending our unity. Over the past year, representatives of the Assembly have repeatedly made statements on high-profile cases, invariably promoting a pragmatic and consolidating stance. You are not just a part of a public association, but true spokespersons for the ideas of peace and harmony. You always set an example of prudence and foresight in discussing such a sensitive subject as inter-ethnic and interfaith relations.

By following this approach, we can resist any attempts to bring discord into our society.

Every citizen must courageously stand up for the values of unity and solidarity of our people, both at home and abroad. A good example are challenges promoted in social networks, where our citizens of different ethnic backgrounds talk about the unity of our people and the absence of discrimination in the country. It is gratifying when representatives of the creative industry and simply creative people create content dedicated to the special atmosphere of friendship and understanding in Kazakhstan, the kindness and tolerance of our citizens. Such songs, poems, and videos always evoke an enthusiastic response from the audience. The solidarity and unity of our people is not a gift of fate.

We must properly understand that behind these achievements is the daily hard work of all our citizens. We must direct our efforts every day toward building unity. In other words, peace and harmony must become a way of life for our people. Otherwise, inaction can lead to very dangerous consequences. Sharing well-wishes is an age-old trait of our people. No wonder they say: “A kind word is half of well-being.” I urge all our compatriots to value unity and harmony. Undoubtedly, serving to strengthen the unity of the country is the most responsible and useful thing to do.

Working for unity is a good deed, and shattering the foundations of the state, splitting society is not only a crime from the point of view of the law, but also a grave sin before the Almighty.

SECOND. Effective measures should be taken to eliminate the causes of ethno-social tension.

At the previous session, I instructed to work diligently on preventing the formation of insular ethnic regions and districts. To date, comprehensive measures have been developed, work plans have been drawn up.

Now we need to ensure their high-quality and timely implementation, supported with the necessary resources, taking into account the fact that this is a very delicate work. At the same time, it is important to pay close attention to regional differences, cultural and other factors that impede the full integration of ethno-social groups.

Recent conflicts have occurred mainly in rural areas. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out active informational work among residents of remote villages, especially in areas of compact ethnic groups.

It is necessary to explain to people the policy pursued by the state in the field of interethnic relations, to show countless examples of friendship and solidarity of our citizens.

It is very important to ensure the participation of local communities in the activities of the Assembly and its public structures. It is necessary to expand interaction between ethnic groups. This will allow us to eventually form a unified national communication space in our country. The Assembly should pay special attention to work in areas with multi-ethnic populations.

The work of the Assembly should be focused on strengthening the integration potential of the nation. The Assembly should also focus its efforts on giving a new impetus to the activities of ethno-cultural and other public associations. They should form effective tools of inter-ethnic communication. It is vital to establish a public dialogue between cultural figures of different ethnic groups. Their activities must meet modern realities. The government should pay special attention to these issues.

THIRD. It is necessary to take systematic steps for the development of a multicultural environment and the mastery of the state language by all citizens.

The national civic identity does not reject ethnic features, it is aimed at forming the foundation of a new model of civil society. Every ethnic group in Kazakhstan has had and will have the opportunity to develop its traditions, culture, and language. This is, in fact, the basis of national identity. At the same time, all citizens of Kazakhstan should feel a sense of belonging to the past, present and future of our state, the symbols of our nation and its cultural core.

The principles “we are different, but we are equal”, “unity in diversity” that I previously mentioned should run through the system of preschool, secondary school and higher education. Of particular importance is the creativity of ethnic theaters and their truly folk collectives. I consider it necessary to organize tours of these theaters in all regions, on the best stages of our country, as well as abroad. The ethno-cultural diversity of Kazakhstan should be reflected in feature films, television series, theatrical productions.

Special attention should be paid to the support of mass media published in the languages of various ethnic groups of Kazakhstan. They should comprehensively promote the values of unity and mutual understanding and focus on the national agenda. It is necessary to encourage citizens in every possible way who contribute to strengthening harmony and accord in our land with concrete actions. I propose to establish two awards of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. The first is for the best works in the field of literature and journalism. The second is for the best works in the field of culture and art.

It is important that both individual authors and creative teams can receive these awards. At the same time, the amount of monetary remuneration should be at least not less than the state premium. Moreover, a new state award should be approved – the Order of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan “For fruitful work to strengthen the unity of the nation”. The first winner of these awards can be awarded on the Day of the Republic in October this year.

I am sure that recognizing the contribution of our citizens to the preservation of peace and harmony at the state level will give a powerful creative impetus to the strengthening of national unity. In general, I think we need to think about further improvement of the country’s heraldic symbols. It should be close and understandable to citizens, comply with the best international practices and reflect the unique identity of our people. We will discuss this issue at the next meeting of the National Kurultai.

The strategic direction of our policy remains the issue of mastering the state language by all citizens.

The Kazakh language is an effective instrument of civic integration, the personification of cultural and spiritual unity. At the same time, the Kazakh language should become a means of introducing the best achievements of scientific progress and education. This is a historic task that will have to be solved not only by the relevant ministries, but also by the whole society, while not allowing insinuations and hype, but acting prudently and progressively.

Citizens who have not studied the state language and do not speak it should not be discriminated against on linguistic grounds. At the same time, the study of the state language in our society, and the desire to master it should become the norm. The Kazakh language will only become popular when the demand for it increases. After all, proficiency in different languages is a sign of a person’s culture.

And mastering the state language, especially the native Kazakh language, is an indicator of how culturally developed a citizen is, how developed his civic responsibility is, and, in the end, how patriotic the citizen is.

In general, it is necessary to maintain a positive atmosphere around the state language.

It is important to understand that all discussions of the language issue are not ethnic, but civil and political in nature. Any indelicacy in this matter can lead to grave and even tragic consequences.

FOURTH. We need to strengthen the Assembly's interaction with political parties and government agencies. This work should be carried out both centrally and locally.

As a result of the implemented large-scale political reforms, we have come to real pluralism. Of course, each politician may have his own views on the country’s development and on the solution to current problems. This is understandable. But in the matter of preserving the unity of the nation, we must of course adhere to a common position. There is and should be no disagreement on the preservation of inter-ethnic harmony.

The Assembly should hold regular consultations with political parties. Only in this way can we strengthen the unity of the nation and eliminate the possibility of any speculation on ethnic issues. Another effective mechanism for the active involvement of parties in strengthening national unity could be a parliamentary group in Parliament, which could be based on the five senators from the Assembly.

An important task of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan is to participate in the activities of institutions of self-government on inter-ethnic relations. This task must be solved in close cooperation with ethno-cultural associations. Most of the management of ministries and departments, regions, the Parliament, and the Presidential Administration who are sitting in this hall are also members of the Assembly. Your common task is to take an active part in its work.

The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan must be more actively involved in the current activities of the akimats and maslikhats. In short, we need tight interaction between the Assembly and the executive branch. This is extremely important. In the process of delegating some powers to the localities, it is advisable to consider this issue. It is necessary to ensure regular, working meetings between the heads of government agencies and representatives of the Assembly, at least once every six months.

All the main work of the Assembly must take place locally, as they say, “on the ground”.

Not only the implementation of the tasks set at this session, but also the success of the reforms as a whole will depend on the regional assemblies and local ethno-cultural associations. Under the aegis of the Assembly, many popular projects are being implemented.

For example, our record-breaker Sergei Tsiryulnikov launched the “100 Auyls” project on his own, without a single state tenge, and provided more than 100 rural schools with sports equipment. As part of the project “Uide soile” courtyard conversation clubs are being opened, in which neighbors teach each other the Kazakh language.  Akimats should more actively support such public initiatives. Ethno-cultural associations should have direct channels of communication with local authorities.

FIFTH. We need a consistent and scientifically sound ethnopolitics.

The implementation of my instructions in the inter-ethnic sphere should be based on my pre-election platform and other strategic documents. For example, today we are conducting systemic changes in the social sphere. I recently signed the Social Code. This is the first document of this kind to be adopted in the Commonwealth of Independent States region. In essence, the Social Code regulates the social policy of the country, establishes a new paradigm of relations between citizens and the state, and lays the foundation for a new social contract.

Essentially, the Code will be interconnected with the actual tasks of the country. In the same way, ethnopolitics must fully correspond to the key priorities of the state. In order to improve the effectiveness of state policy, a comprehensive analysis is needed. By the end of the year, the government should prepare an analytical report analyzing the current state of the nation-building process with relevant topical recommendations.

Particular attention should be paid to scientific research on these issues. The indifferent attitude of public authorities to scientific recommendations, often left without feedback, is a big topic for serious discussion.

I expect specific proposals from relevant ministries and the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan on improving the quality and practical impact of scientific and analytical work in this area. This is very important.

Distinguished participants of the meeting!

The agenda of our session fully reflects the significance of the tasks we are facing.

All of your suggestions and recommendations made during the two-day session will be carefully studied and taken into account in our work. Relevant instructions will be given to ministries and agencies. The Assembly has shown itself to be an important social and political institution, which embodies and implements genuine democratic principles and values.

The APK successfully puts into practice the principles of coexistence and interaction between different cultures, which is the most pressing problem of the modern world. All conflicts and wars in the world are the result of national arrogance, unwillingness and inability to see a representative of another ethnic group or nationality as a close friend. True patriotism should by no means be confused with national conceit. Therefore, we will continue to develop the Assembly, improve its working methods and regularly update its membership. We are children of one land, sons and daughters of one nation! We all have enough space on the boundless expanses of the Great Steppe. We all have something to cherish on this sacred land, something to work and live for.

The future of Kazakhstan, the fate of our children and the heritage of our ancestors are in our hands. We proudly accept the challenges of our time. We are one nation, and we will overcome any difficulties. In every fellow citizen I see an example of true patriotism, high civil responsibility and conscientious attitude to work. These qualities are key to the successful creation of a Just Kazakhstan!

Today at the session of the Assembly I would like to express my gratitude to the heroes of our time, who embody the image of a working person and a true citizen. I congratulate you on your deserved awards! I am sure you will continue to contribute to the national unity and development of Kazakhstan.

Distinguished members of the Assembly!

Dear compatriots!

In conclusion I would like to emphasize a very important point. Kazakhstan will always pursue a stable and balanced policy to maintain inter-ethnic accord and unity. This is an unbreakable principle of the policy of our state. Today humanity is going through difficult times, and the world is undergoing a deep transformation. New challenges and threats of a global level are arising.

Despite all these difficulties, we are looking to the future with confidence. A Just Kazakhstan is being born before our eyes, and each of us should confidently look forward and not look back, being trapped in various fears, stereotypes and prejudices. The fates of all citizens of our country are interwoven as invisible threads into the fabric of our national unity.

Kazakhstan is a large, united nation, one might say, a team, in which each ethnic group makes its own invaluable contribution to strengthening friendship, harmony and accord. We must be unwavering in our commitment to our fundamental values. I am sure that by steadily following the path of building a strong state and a just society for everyone, we will transform our country into an indestructible monolith of freedom and independence. Only a united people can expect a bright future. We must work tirelessly to maintain peace and stability in our country. Our common sacred duty is to strengthen the people’s unity and work for the country’s prosperity.

I wish peace and prosperity to everyone!

We are one country!

We are one people!