STRATEGY KAZAKHSTAN 2050 IV

STRATEGY KAZAKHSTAN 2050

NEW POLITICAL COURSE OF THE ESTABLISHED STATE

哈薩克斯坦2050 策略

Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Leader of the Nation, N.A.NAZARBAYEV

Astana, 2012

5. FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF THE STATEHOOD AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE KAZAKHSTAN DEMOCRACY

New type of state governance

Our aim is to create a new type of public management. It must meet the new tasks of serving society and strengthening the state.

Improving system of state planning and forecasting

We need to further improve the State planning and forecasting system. I set a task to improve the state bodies’ responsibility for the plans and programs development. In this regard I task the Government to:

• Consider my vision of the Kazakhstan 2050 development strategy. Revisit the Strategic documents along which the country works and lives.

• Elaborate on the introduction of a State audit concept and submit to Parliament a respective draft law next year. Our objective should be to create a state audit system based on the most advanced examples of world experience.

• In order to get our economic strategies implemented, the State should effectively anticipate crisis situations and withstand them. This requires us to create a multilevel anti-crisis system.

We should have standard action packs for probable crisis situations. This is especially important for the regions. As this system is developed it will be necessary to consider all the challenges I have mentioned.

Decentralization of power

Dividing responsibilities and power between center and the regions

We should continue with our plans for decentralization of governance to the regions.

The substance of the decentralization lies in delegating the necessary resources to make decisions from the center to regional authorities. In 2013 we have to implement concrete measures for moving responsibility and powers from the center to the regions in order to strengthen local executive authorities.

Powers of the authorities on the ground will be supported by financial and human resources.

Development concept of local self-governance

Citizens should be directly involved into the process of making the state decision and in helping with implementation. Through local authorities we need to provide the population with a real opportunity to independently and responsibly resolve the local-scale issues.

I have approved the Local self-governance development concept. It will allow us to increase the management quality at the rural level and expand citizens’ participation in the local-scale issues.

Election of the rural governors

We will provide villages, rural governors with additional powers to improve their influence on the situation in villages.

However, at the same time we need to improve public control and citizens’ influence on the situation on the ground. Therefore I decided to introduce appointment by election of the rural governors through local councils. We will start the elections in 2013.

In total 2533 governors will be elected, including governors of rural districts, villages and 50 governors of towns of regional significance.

This makes 91.7% of governors of all levels! Thus election process will cover all governors who directly work with citizens and resolve the problems on the ground.

It’s now time for the citizens to get actively involved in resolving the relevant issues on the ground supporting their local authorities to do so.

I task the Government jointly with my Administration to accelerate the necessary legislative acts, and the Parliament to provide their acceptance in the priority order.

We should follow the civilized path, together with the whole world and to take a course towards further democratization of the society.

We should continue our policy of strengthening the Parliaments powers.

At the same time, decentralization should not be assessed exclusively as a process of creating new bodies of power at the local level, to transfer certain powers there.

Decentralization first of all is a qualitative change of the state management system, change of the resolution system for the local-scale level.

Simultaneously, decentralization should not lead to the weakening of the vertical of power, decreasing of the executive discipline and order. We can’t let that happen. Governors on the ground, the Government should keep that under special control.

Creating a professional state apparatus

We expect to create a professional state apparatus, for which, according to the principles I have announced today, service to the people and State is paramount.

We should qualitatively improve the personnel of the public service through introduction of improved methods of selection and professional training.

Decision makers at the State level should meet the following requirements:

• Be accountable for not only the short-term, but also the long-term results.

• Be accountable for the multiplicative effect of the management decision.

• Align with the fair competition rules and freedom of entrepreneurship.

• Exclude double interpretation of the functional duties of public servants. Clear legislative regulation of their activities.

Second stage of the administrative reform

Considering the new requirements we already have started the second stage of the administrative reforms.

First of all the state apparatus will be reformed. I have signed the “New Public Service” Law. This provides improvements to counter corruption, increase the transparency of the selection of public servants selection, and promote the best personnel.

We will create a National Personnel Policy Commission. A principally new class of professional managers of A-class will be created, which will be responsible for implementation of certain areas of the state policy. First of all the A-class will include the Responsible Secretaries and Heads of Administrations of regional authorities, Committees’ chairmen, governors of the regions and towns. I task my Administrations to prepare a draft Order regarding qualification requirements to the A-class candidates,

From now on every public servant has to demonstrate clear progression in their career through the development of skills and experience that allow as them to increase their professional level. Exceptions should be made to cover those public servants who demonstrate outstanding performance against key indicators and demonstrating clear achievement at a senior level.

I task the State Service Agency to introduce by the end of 2013 this new mechanism of career promotion for state civil servants.

Special consideration should be made on increasing the quality of state services. Our aim should be to signal a departure from the one-way power approaches in interaction of the state with the population towards an effective and operative provision whereby citizens and the state work together.

The draft “State Services” Law has been submitted to the parliament. It should be adopted by the end of 1st quarter of 2013.

We should release the state bodies from the extrinsic functions, and increase the independence of state institutions. The Government should link its implementation with the introduction of a new mechanism of local budgets from 2014.

New system of interaction between state apparatus and business community

State apparatus should develop a new system of interaction with the business society

We should not intervene in business and “lead everyone by their hands”. We should provide businesses with confidence in the future. Entrepreneurs should reckon their abilities and know that the State will not cheat but will protect. All that is requested from entrepreneurs is a fair work.

I assume that we have to, firstly, to guarantee de-facto immutability of the private property rights. Secondly, it’s necessary to guarantee the contracted liabilities protection.

The liability of the State is to provide the citizens with maximal opportunities to implement their business activities. This means caring about creating the infrastructure for the homeland business.

(1) For these aims it is necessary in 2013 to start the next stage of modernization of the national legal system.

The legislation should not only protect national interests, but synchronize with the developing international legal environment. I task the Government to adopt systemic measures to increase the competitiveness of our legal system in all its basic sectors of as the public, as the private rights.

(2) I task the Government jointly with my Administration in 2013:

• To start reforming the Criminal as well as Criminal Proceeding legislation. An emphasis should be made on further humanization, including decriminalization of economic infringements;

• To prepare and submit to the Parliament drafts of 4 new Codes: Criminal Proceedings, Criminal Executive and Administrative Infringements Code. Adopting these key legislative acts will conceptually modernize the criminal legal proceedings system and above all – the criminal policy of the State, it will raise our rights to a level, allowing to adequately react to the modern challenges.

Introducing “zero tolerance” principle towards disorder

The State should be bound to the zero tolerance policy towards disorder. Developed society starts from discipline and order everywhere: comfortable doorways, accurate backyards, clean streets and friendly faces.

We should not tolerate even the smallest infringements, hooliganism, and incivility as they disturb public order and decrease the quality of life.

Feeling of disorder and permissiveness creates grounds for more serious crimes. This is why an atmosphere of intolerance to minor infringements is an important step towards enhancing social security and the fight against the crime.

We need to overcome ignorance of the law and engage society in the public order preservation process.

We need to connect destructive social behavior with employment opportunity. We must introduce punishment measures for hooligan behavior in public places that will be reflected on their criminal files and should be considered by business at employment and promotion.

This must become a normal part of public life

Fight against corruption

The State and society should come forward against the corruption as a united team.

Corruption is not just an infringement, it undermines the belief in effectiveness of the State and represents a direct threat to the national security.

We should strengthen our fight against the corruption, including improving the anti-corruption legislation in order to achieve our ultimate goal – to eradicate corruption within Kazakhstan.

Reforming law enforcement bodies and special agencies

We should continue reforming the law enforcement bodies and special agencies. Without this we will not reach our aim to create “zero tolerance” towards disorder and the eradication of corruption.

(1) In the recent three years a number of important reforms of the law enforcement bodies and special agencies were undertaken. This is an important step towards strengthen statehood. The legal basis of law enforcement bodies has been enhanced and their functions clearly defined. Duplication of their activities has been excluded, and the criminal policy humanized.

Total attestation of all law enforcement personnel has been undertaken. 12.5 thousand out of 100 thousand people has been unable to pass the test and were dismissed.

(2) We will further continue this work.

I task my Administration jointly with the Security Council and the Government:

• To prepare an action plan to increase the pay and retirement benefits of law enforcement employees. I task them to increase additional payments for special ranks up to one-month salary according to their military ranks.

• To elaborate the personnel policy concept of the law enforcement bodies;

• To create a permanent personnel policy body for the law enforcement authorities based on the Supreme attestation commission;

• Create Presidential reserve of leaders of the law enforcement bodies and special agencies.

(3) I task my Administration, Security Council jointly with the Government to establish a cross-department task group by the end of 2nd quarter of 2013 to elaborate on the draft Program of further modernization of law enforcement system.

(4) The crucial issue of legal policy is to ensure that citizens use their rights for judicial protection, which is guaranteed by the Constitution.

For that we need to simplify the process of finding justice, by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy. With active introduction of new information technologies this will not be hard to achieve.

At the same time, in order to ease the burden on courts we need to further develop institutions of outside the court dispute settlement. We need to install the mechanism that would allow settling small disputes outside the courts.

(5) It is necessary to implement a large-scale reform of the Border Service. The aim is to improve its effectiveness, modernize its stockpile and technical capability.

In this regard I task the Security Council jointly with my Administration and the Government to prepare a special development plan of the Border Service and equipment of the state frontier.

6. CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE FOREIGN POLICY IS PROMOTION OF NATIONAL INTERESTS AND STRENGTHENIN OF REGIONAL AND GLOBAL SECURITY

Over the last 20 years Kazakhstan has matured as a full-fledged participant of international processes and we have managed to create favorable external conditions.

Our priorities remain unchanged – development of partnerships with our neighbors – Russia, China, Central Asian countries as well as the USA, European Union and Asian nations.

We will further strengthen the Custom Union and the Common Economic Space.

Our next aim is to create a Eurasian Economic Union in consensus with our partners whilst respecting full political sovereignty

Our balanced foreign policy means we are developing friendly and predictable relations with all states and playing a significant role in the global agenda that represents the interests of all Kazakhstan.

Nevertheless, the international situation and geopolitical environment has changed dramatically.

In some circumstances this has not been a favorable change. There is a giant arc of instability from Northern Africa and the Middle East to North-East Asia. Given these changes that the role of the regional security mechanisms has increased. Organizations such as the UN, OSCE, NATO, CSTO, SCO, CICA and others gain greater importance.

New national security threats have appeared in Central Asia. Just as we have sought to modernize our domestic policy we need to consider the impact of regional and global changes and modernize our foreign policy.

Foreign policy modernization priorities

• Strengthen regional and national security by all means;

• Actively develop economic and trade diplomacy;

• Intensify international cooperation in cultural, humanitarian, scientific and education fields;

• Enhance the legal protection of our citizens and their personal, family and business interests abroad;

Development of economic and trade diplomacy

Firstly, the foreign policy promotion of the national interests should be based purely on pragmatic principles.

Our aims are to diversify our foreign policy and develop economic and trade diplomacy to protect and promote national economic and trade interests.

Strengthening regional security

Secondly, we should further understand our responsibility for regional security and make our own contribution to the stabilization of the Central Asia.

Our aim is to help eradicate the prerequisites of conflict situations in the region as much as possible.

• The best way to stabilize the region is through interregional integration. In doing this we can decrease the conflict potential of our region, resolve vital social and economic problems and address water, energy and other contradictory issues.

• Our voice should be heard in the whole world. Therefore during the Astana economic forum I suggested a new dialogue format, which we named G-Global.

No single country in the world can overcome the contemporary challenges we all face. The essence of my initiative is to unite all efforts to establish a fair and safe world order.

Thirdly, our country should support progressive international initiatives and make its contribution to global security.

• Together with all interested partners and our neighbors Kazakhstan will strive for immediate political stabilization and restoration of Afghanistan.

• As an influential OIC participant Kazakhstan is genuinely interested in a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict. It is important that the released energy of people in the Arabic Islamic world is used for creative purposes and serves to resolve the social and economic problems of the region.

• We should bring ourselves economically closer with Asian Pacific countries at an accelerated pace. Not only will it provide us with economic dividends, but will strengthen the equilibrium of our foreign policy.

Strengthening national defense capacity and military doctrine

Fourth, Kazakhstan should strengthen its defense capability and military doctrine and engage in various mechanisms of defensive containment.

• By developing a national defense model we will cooperate with various countries and organizations.

• Kazakhstan will closely interact with its CSTO allies and foster the improvement of potential and military capability of Collective Rapid Reaction Forces

7. NEW KAZAKHSTAN PATRIOTISM IS BASIS FOR SUCCESS OF OUR MULTIETHNICAL AND MULTI-CONFESSIONAL SOCIETY

Our main aim in this direction is simple and clear: we should preserve and strengthen the public consent. It is a priority condition for our existence as a State, as a society and as a nation.

The basis of patriotism in Kazakhstan is equal rights for all citizens based on their share of responsibility for the honor of our homeland.

This year at the London Olympic Games our team finished 12th in the medal rankings of 205 national teams. Our athletes have performed as one team representing a multi-ethnic Kazakhstan, demonstrating a strong and united family of numerous ethnicities.

The Olympic triumph has further united our people, demonstrating the great value of patriotism. Mass sports and sports of the highest achievements require a complex systemic approach; after all only a healthy nation could be competitive.

I task the Government to develop a Program of development of mass sports and sports of the highest achievements, taking into account international best practice

New Kazakhstan Patriotism

One can not build a full grown state without its confidence in the future. It is vital that the objectives of the State and citizens coincide in all directions. This is precisely the task the State should set forth.

Citizens trust the State if only there are prospects and opportunities for development including personal and professional growth. The state and the people should understand this and work together.

We should instill a new Kazakhstan patriotism in ourselves and in our children. We must take pride in our country and its achievements. But today at a new stage of the matured state this understanding is not enough. We should pragmatically review this issue.

We love our country and we are proud of it, if the State guarantees quality of life, security, equal opportunities and prospects for each citizen.

It is this approach that provides us with a pragmatic and realistic vision of patriotism and its education.

By 2050 we need to build a political system that each citizen of Kazakhstan would be firmly confident in the future.

Our children and grandchildren should also prefer to live at the homeland, because it is better for them here than abroad. Each citizen of Kazakhstan should understand they are a part of this land and our people.

Equality of citizens of all ethnic groups

We are all Kazakhstan citizens, having equal rights and equal opportunities.

The new Kazakhstan patriotism is something that should unite all of society without any ethnic differences.

We are a multiethnic society there should be no double standards when it come to interethnic relations.

All citizens should be equal in the eyes of the State no one should be discriminated against on the basis of ethnicity or other features.

This issue for me is not negotiable. If anyone in our country is discriminated against then we should assume that all Kazakhstan citizens are discriminated against.

There should not be any preference given to any ethnic groups. Our rights and liberties should be universal – they apply to all of you.

We are building a society with equal opportunities, a society where everyone is equal before the Law. We should never allow a thought that college enrollment, employment or career promotion could be influenced by someone’s ethnicity.

I demand that the Government and governors bring order to our labor policy. Only the best should be employed – especially in local government – irrespective of ethnicity. If people must be judged on single criteria it is this: they must conform to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. We must fix the lopsidedness evident in hiring process of the ministries and local administrations at all levels.

There should be no “unnecessary” or “aliens”, “ours” and “theirs” in our society. We cannot leave behind a single citizen of our country. Every Kazakhstan citizen should feel the support of the authorities.

Whoever attempts to “drive a wedge” into the interethnic harmony of the nation should be prosecuted by Law.

And here we Kazakhs bear a special responsibility.

We must understand that the epoch of single-ethnic states has gone.

Kazakhstan is our land. It is a land that has belonged to our ancestors. The land that will belong to our descendants. We bear a direct responsibility for the peace and harmony of our land.

We must be the true owner of our land – hospitable, friendly, generous and tolerant.

If we want to see our country as a strong and powerful state, we should not rock the boat that would destroy peace and order, which are fragile.

We should not let anyone sow dissention and fear on our blessed land.

You should remember my demand and the demands of time – to live in peace and harmony. There are lots of various powers in our country and abroad, those want to play a game of “interethnic split”, who want to blow up our harmony from inside and prevent the strengthening of our state.

Don’t follow their ideas!

We should improve, we should be worthy people, then our history culture, tradition and language will be respected..

Kazakh language and three-side unity of languages

Responsible language policy is one of the consolidating factors of Kazakh ethnicity.

(1) Kazakh language – is our spiritual pivot.

Our aim is to develop the Kazakh language actively using it in all areas. We should develop a modern Kazakh language as a legacy heritage for our descendants, harmoniously integrating the experience of generations of our ancestors with our visible trace.

The state does a lot to strengthen the positions of our State Language. It is necessary to continue implementation of the measures complex to popularize Kazakh language.

From 2025 we need to modernize our language to use Latin fonts and a Latin alphabet.

For the sake of the future of our children we should make this decision and create it as a condition of entry for our wider global integration. This will enable our children to have a better understanding of the English language, the internet and reinforce our desire to modernize the Kazakh language

We should conduct modernization of Kazakh language. It is necessary to make the language modern, to look for consensus in terminology issues, forever resolving the issues of translating international and foreign words into Kazakh language. These issues should not be resolved by a circle of solitary figures. The Government should resolve this.

There are terms commonly adopted in the whole world that enrich any language. But tend to make life unnecessarily complicated, we often bring in confusion to our minds and swarm our own archaic memories. There are plenty of examples like that.

I suggest a contest where our youth suggest to us a hundred modern books that are translated into Kazakh in a modern way

Language should function as a unifying influence for the people of Kazakhstan. Therefore our language policy should be implemented in a competent and consistent way and should not limit any language spoken by Kazakhstan citizens.

You know about our policy – by 2025 95% of Kazakhstan citizens should gain Kazakh language. We are creating the conditions for that. Today more than 60% of schoolchildren are educated in the state language. Education in Kazakh is being introduced in all schools. This means that if child has been enrolled into a school this year, in ten to twelve years we will have a new generation of Kazakhstan citizens all bearing Kazakh language.

Thus already by 2025 Kazakh language will lead in all spheres of life, Kazakh will become a general language. This, of course, will become the most important achievement of our state. Our sovereignty, our independence will finally gain something that binds the nation and cements it – a mother tongue. This is the crown pearl of our state’s sovereignty.

(2) Nowadays we take active measures to create conditions for our children to learn Russian and English equally as Kazakh language.

This three language policy should be encouraged on a State level.

We should treat Russian language and Cyrillic writing in the same caring way as we do for Kazakh. It is clear to us all, that knowing the Russian language provided a historic advantage to our nation.

No one can ignore the fact that through Russian language in centuries the Kazakhstan citizens gain additional knowledge, increase their perspective and communications both domestically and abroad.

We should work to breakthrough in learning the English language. Having this “lingua franca” of the modern world will reveal new and unlimited opportunities for each citizen of our country.

Culture, traditions, and distinction

Traditions and culture form the genetic code of a nation.

Despite all burdens and adversities suffered under the Czars, shocks of revolutions and totalitarianism, Kazakhs and representative of other ethnic groups have managed to preserve their cultural distinction.

Moreover, in the independence years, in-spite of the globalization and westernization, our cultural foundation has been significantly strengthened.

Kazakhstan is a unique country where various cultural elements have united to compliment and enrich each other.

We must preserve our national culture and traditions in all their diversity and greatness collecting it bit by bit.

Our history teaches us: a country is strong only if its people are united therefore, the unity of Kazakhs is a key issue for us.

Who would be interested in building a strong Kazakhstan besides us? The answer is clear.

We are facing the same problems faced by all nations in various periods of history. Those countries that overcame them have become strong nations and States.

As the Leader of Nation I am concerned that there are forces who wish to destroy inter-Kazakh unity.

The one, who follows these calls either consciously or non-consciously, then starts to get divided according to various properties, first of all by Shejire.

People should not forget the essence of the Shejire tradition, it does not stop on a single tribe. Shejire is a Tree of generations, which tends to a common root. Shejire demonstrates and proves that our roots are common, that we Kazakhs are all one. Shejire does not divide us, but unites.

I am concerned that the nation is artificially divided into “true Kazakhs” and “false Kazakhs”. I feel very ashamed for those who do that, for those who divide the society. It is dangerous that this is being done covered in ideas of love to the homeland.

Our youth should learn to appreciate, love each other as children of a common parent, common people, wherever they would be.

Role of the national intelligentsia

We enter a period of our development, when the spiritual issues will have a meaning no less important than issues of economic and material concern.

The intelligentsia plays main role in the spiritual development.

Kazakhstan 2050 should be a society of progressive ideals.

The intelligentsia is supposed to lay a foundation for modern views of our society.

(1) Intelligentsia should become a leading power in strengthening the nationwide values at a stage when the country has become an established state.

We should demonstrate and create new Heroes of our time – those our youth will admire and seek to emulate.

(2) Intelligentsia can and must play a key role in drafting a model of the future of our country based on my vision of Kazakhstan 2050.

(3) We have to continue our work to establish the historical conscience of the nation.

Universal Kazakhstan identity must become the cornerstone in the minds of our people.

Today a Kazakhstan citizen of any ethnical and religious belonging – is an equal member and citizen of our country.

Kazakhstan people and state language serve as unifying core in the developing civil unity of Kazakhstan.

We are creating a fair society, where everyone can say: “I’m a citizen of Kazakhstan, and all the doors are open for me in my country!”

Today indeed all the doors, all the opportunities and roads are open to our citizens.

We are plenty and we are one – one country and one nation.

To be valuable for own country, to be responsible for the destiny of own homeland – is a duty and honor for every responsible politician, for every citizen of Kazakhstan.

Unity and accord is the foundation of our society, foundation of our special Kazakhstan tolerance.

We must carefully transfer those values to the future generations of our country.

Religion in Kazakhstan of 21st century

Today the pressing issue for Kazakhstan in the religious arena is religions that have not been traditionally practiced in our country. We have also seen an influx of people claiming to represent a non recognized faith or belief.

Some of the young people unconsciously accept these views due to a lack of immunity on the part of our society against pseudo-religious influence.

It is a fact that our Constitution guarantees freedom of faith. However, as you might know this is not unrestricted freedom as this would produce chaos. Everything should be a subject to the constitution and our laws.

Everyone enjoys a freedom of choice. It is necessary to be very responsible in choosing religious preferences: lifestyle, households and, often whole lives depends on this choice.

In this internet age with many new technologies and incredible volumes of information flows, people should apply a filter to what the see and here.

Your Internal “filter” must ask questions: do we need our mothers, sisters and daughters to wear the clothes of foreign nationals? Do they need to be wrapped in headscarves? To not sit at the same table with us? To not allowed drive cars? These all are matured traditions of other nations. They are our brothers and we respect them, but those customs have never existed in our Steppe.

Read the classical literature, watch the movies. Our women have national pride, own traditional style of clothes, but it is covered by a modesty, that we, men, often abuse.

We are proud of being a part of the Muslim Ummah. It belongs to our traditions. However we should not forget that we also have secular traditions, and that Kazakhstan is a secular state. We should create a religious conscience relevant to the traditions and cultural norms of our country. We should use the best models of behavior. The strategy I am announcing prepares our people to live in the 21st century, not in the middle ages.

The State and citizens should come forward against forms and types of radicalism, extremism and terrorism as a united team.

A particular concern is caused by a threat of so-called religious extremism. This concern is also shared by the spiritual hierarchy. We cannot allow the true faith in God to be replaced by aggressive and destructive fanaticism.

This blind fanaticism is absolutely alien to the psychology and mentality of our peaceful people. It contradicts the hatafit mazhab, held to by believers of Kazakhstan.

Extremism and terrorism in Kazakhstan has not an ideological but criminal foundation. The pseudo-religious rhetoric hides criminal activities that undermine basis of the society.

It is an assault to the peace and stability of our country. It is a durability test of our statehood and civil maturity.

• We should improve our legislation in order to neutralize the signs of religious radicalism and extremism. We should improve counter-terrorism legislation. The State should stop extremism and radicalism, wherever it comes from.

• We should establish new reliable mechanisms to overcome the social, ethnic and religious tensions and conflicts. It is necessary to firmly stop the activities of non-traditional sects and doubtful pseudo-religious flows.

• We should strengthen preventive measures against religious extremism in society, especially among the youth.

• It is also necessary use the advantages, provided by the Forum of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. On the basis of this dialogue we should create a new platform for resolving conflicts on religious grounds.

• We should be ready to mediate in the hot spots of the region in particular the Middle East and larger global level to resolve religious and ethnic conflicts.

The secular nature of our State is an important condition of the successful development of Kazakhstan. This should be clearly understood by current and future Kazakhstan officials and all Kazakhstan citizens.

I task the Government in conjunction with my Administration to continue to develop a State program on the fight against religious extremism and terrorism.

At the same time I would like to warn the nation. The fight against extremism should not be used as a witch hunt or to be used to fight religion.

Whenever we contemplate religion we must adopt a thoughtful approach and proceed with extreme caution. It is not the States’ role to intervene on the internal affairs of religious communities. We remain steadfastly committed to the freedom of conscience, tolerance of traditions and principles.

Fellow citizens!

Today in my Address I appeal to every one of you.

Our country faces large-scale tasks. And I am confident in our success.

What Kazakhstan do I see in future?

I am strongly confident that Kazakhstan citizens of 2050 represent a society of educated, free people speaking in three languages.

They are citizens of the world. They travel. They are open to new knowledge. They are industrious. They are patriots of their country.

I am convinced that Kazakhstan of 2050 is a society of universal labor. It is a State with a strong economy, with everything devoted for a person. With the strong education, and great healthcare. With peace and serenity. With citizens who are free and equal, and the authority is fair. With supremacy of the Law.

I believe that we are committed to the right course and nothing can distract us from this.

If we would be strong, we will be reckoned with.

If we would hope for a miracle or rely on others we will lose what we have achieved.

And today we have to make the only right choice.

Special responsibility for implementation of the Kazakhstan 2050 is laid first of all on us, Kazakhs.

We should not forget that we would be able to adequately respond to the challenges of the time only if we preserve our cultural code: language, spirituality, traditions and values.

I say this in a clear way, especially for our youth, terms. When does the bug happen in the computer program?

The bug happens when the program coding is broken. Real life if the same. If a nation loses its cultural code, the nation is broken. We cannot let this happen!

I believe that our deserved history and memories of our glorious ancestors will help us overcome the adversities of the future years. The history witnesses that in the difficult times our people has always united and turned our burdens into victories.

This happened almost 300 years ago by Anyrakay where the Kazakh people united. At that moment devotion to our land and common sense won. That exploit was made by an ancestor of each of us.

The way we will come out of the future burdens also depends on our unity. Our ancestors used to say: “The Homeland is hotter than fire”.

I appeal to our senior generation. Your wisdom should help the junior generations follow the right path, to love the Homeland.

I appeal to the middle generation you have witnessed falling of one country and raising of a new one. That was a time of complicated and hard decisions. The experience you have gained is a priceless asset that will help all of us to overcome adversities.

And finally, I appeal to our youth. You embody all our dreams for the future. Everything we are doing today we are doing for you. Most of you are of the same age as our independent Kazakhstan. And by 2050 you will all be mature citizens, who have taken part in implementation of this program. The further course of our country will be defined by You.

You are educated in the conditions of independence – something we did not have. Your new independent vision is a factor that will lead the country to new aims that look unattainable for us today.

I call on all of our people to arm themselves with eternal qualities – diligence, industry and purposefulness; those qualities will help us stand firm and provide our Homeland with a deserved future.

I believe in you. I believe that this historic chance will not be lost.

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