Nazarbayev accepted credentials from several foreign ambassadors

The Head of State congratulated the ambassadors on the official start of their diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan and noted the symbolism of the solemn ceremony on the eve of Independence Day.

“For 27 years, we have become a modern state with a rapidly growing economy. Having secured peace and social harmony, today we are paying great attention to improving human well-being. We are implementing large-scale programs and reforms to become one of the 30 developed countries in the world”, the President of Kazakhstan said.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that improvement of the life quality of citizens is one of the main priorities of the state policy.

The Head of State highlighted the activities of Kazakhstan to resolve international and regional conflicts, an example of which is the “Astana process” to establish peace in Syria.

“In the context of escalating military conflicts, increasing sanctions and trade wars, any anti-crisis actions will not have a positive effect without mutual trust”, the President of Kazakhstan said.

Nursultan Nazarbayev pointed out that Kazakhstan intends to further develop trade and economic cooperation and friendly relations with Kyrgyzstan, and stressed that Kyrgyzstan is not only an important partner in Central Asia, but also a fraternal state, with which we have deep historical roots.

“We attach great importance to the development of a strategic partnership based on friendship and mutual understanding with Kyrgyzstan. I hope that the effective work of our governments in this direction will allow to bring relations between the two countries to a new level”, the Head of State said.

The President of Kazakhstan noted that political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation with Armenia is developing in the spirit of mutual trust and respect, and separately highlighted the prospects for cooperation between Astana and Yerevan within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

“In recent years, the volume of mutual trade has increased. So, by the end of 2017, its growth amounted to 68.4%. At the same time, it is important to fully utilize the potential of our countries in the trade and economic sphere”, Nursultan Nazarbayev stated.

The Head of State stressed that Iran is an important partner of Kazakhstan in the region, and focused on the need to expand cooperation with Tehran in the transport, logistics, agriculture, mining and metallurgy spheres.

“I am convinced that the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, signed in Aktau, will give a new impetus to strengthening of cooperation between our countries. We welcome the international agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and its further successful implementation”, the President of Kazakhstan continued.

In his speech, Nursultan Nazarbayev pointed out that relations with Afghanistan are developing along the lines of friendship and mutual understanding, and noted that Kazakhstan makes a significant contribution to the socio-economic development and stabilization of the situation in this country.

“As a member of the UN Security Council, we are participating in solving the Afghan problem. Every year, Kabul is provided with financial, technical and humanitarian assistance. An educational program is implemented for Afghan youth. We are also ready to become one of the main food suppliers in Kabul”, the Head of State said.

In addition, the President of Kazakhstan highly appreciated the current level of relations with Lithuania and stressed that cooperation in the field of transport and transit, as well as the opening of direct flights between Astana and Vilnius, has allowed to further strengthen bilateral ties.

In conclusion, Nursultan Nazarbayev once again congratulated the diplomatic workers on the start of the important and honorable mission in Kazakhstan and expressed confidence that their activities will contribute to the further development of cooperation between the countries.

Photo by Bauyrzhan Zhuasbayev