Embassy of Kazakhstan - 01.11.2006

Nazarbayev Sworn in as Kazakhstan’s President for New Term

Stresses Democracy, Growth and Security

Nursultan Nazarbayev was sworn in as Kazakhstan’s President for a new seven year term on January 11 in Astana, outlining his vision of continued economic growth, democratic reforms and greater security to make Kazakhstan one of the world’s most competitive nations.

In front of hundreds of dignitaries from more than 70 countries, including eight presidents, President Nazarbayev recited the oath of office in Kazakh pledging to “serve Kazakhstan’s people, respect laws and the constitution of Kazakhstan, and guarantee the rights and liberties of its citizens.” Upon completing the oath, he kissed Kazakhstan’s flag as the ceremony was broadcast live on national television from Ak Orda, the presidential administration. This was followed by the rousing rendition of a new national anthem adopted just last week.

The President then made a speech in both Kazakh and Russian. He said successes of Kazakhstan in 14 years of independence were due to hard work and unity of the people of Kazakhstan. “The most important achievement is that we built an independent state based on peace and harmony. We have established ourselves as one nation, aspiring for the future. We have established a new society committed to universal values. We have built a Kazakhstan model of economic development which ensures annual growth of the people’s wellbeing,” the President declared.

He stressed, “We have resolved three tasks of great difficulty: we have built our own state, created one of the most dynamic economies in the world and raised the living standards of our people in real terms. We have built our capital, Astana, in the heartland of Eurasia as symbol of our aspirations for the future which our guests call the pearl of the steppes.”

Under President Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan dismantled the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal and became a strong advocate for nonproliferation and peace. It has settled its borders with all of its neighbors for the first time in history, creating an environment for peaceful development. Kazakhstan has enjoyed an economic growth of nine percent on average annually since 2000, and in seven years its economy has expanded by 75 percent. The country has turned into a burgeoning oil power with inbound investment of more than US$40 billion and is set to join the ranks of the world’s 10 largest oil producers in the next decade. Democracy took roots in Kazakhstan as evidenced by a hotly contested presidential election last December and the activities of more than a dozen of political parties, thousands of independent media outlets and nongovernmental organizations. A country of more than 130 ethnic groups and 40 different religions, Kazakhstan has managed to preserve peace and harmony and seeks to share its experience of tolerance with others.

The President went on to outline his goals for the new term: “For a long time I have had one goal, to make Kazakhstan one of the world’s 50 most competitive nations.” The President talked of the need to account all four dimensions of a developed state: economic, political, social and cultural and said, “This will require a comprehensive program envisaging serious economic, administrative, political and legislative changes. A great deal of work awaits us.” He noted Kazakhstan views its upcoming accession to the World Trade Organization and its plans to take the rotating presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe through the prism of this task. 

The President said striving for greater democracy while preserving the country’s stability, security and economic growth would be at the cornerstone of his policies. His three fundamental internal policy platforms would be “preserving interethnic and religious accord in the country, keeping the political stability against a backdrop of serious democratization of the political system and stringently preventing systemic threats to the country’s national security.”

Kazakhstan’s external security will be centered on keeping the country’s “international commitments in the sphere of energy security, the fight against international terrorism,” as well as on the “creation of a belt of good-neighborliness and stability along the entire perimeter of Kazakhstan’s border”.

President Nazarbayev has reconfirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to “strategic partnership with Russia, China and the USA,” expanding cooperation with the European Union and Muslim countries and to closer relations with Kazakhstan’s Central Asian neighbors. He said “regional security demands a major breakthrough in the level of integration of Central Asia states.”

The inauguration followed President Nazarbayev’s landslide win in the December 4 presidential election. Guests included Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine, Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia, Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and others. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns led the U.S. delegation.


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Embassy of Kazakhstan - 01.11.2006

Bush Congratulates Nazarbayev

Underscores Cooperation for Greater Democracy, Regional Prosperity

U.S. President George W. Bush congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev on his reelection as President of Kazakhstan and reconfirmed his commitment to greater cooperation between the two nations to promote democracy and prosperity in Central Asia.

In his letter to President Nazarbayev, President Bush wrote: “On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer my warmest congratulations to you on your reelection as President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.” The U.S. President stressed, “I look forward to working with you to fulfill our nations’ shared commitment to strengthen democracy and increase regional prosperity.” 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns presented the letter to President Nazarbayev in Astana on January 11 while attending his inauguration ceremony.

Following a meeting with President Nazarbayev, the Secretary told reporters the U.S. and Kazakhstan would work to diversify bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The U.S. is the largest investor in Kazakhstan, accounting for more than a third of US$40 billion in foreign direct investment poured into the oil-rich country since independence in 1991. Secretary Johanns said investment possibilities for U.S. firms in the Kazakh agriculture will be closely examined, and a group of American business executives may visit Kazakhstan in the future. 

The U.S. delegation also included high ranking officials from the Departments of State and Treasury.

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RIA Novosti - 01.11.2006

Interethnic, religious accord basis for security - Nazarbayev

ASTANA (RIA Novosti) - Kazakhstan's internal security will be built on maintaining inter-ethnic and religious accord, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said Wednesday.

Internal security will be built "on three platforms," he said during a ceremony in the Kazakh capital to inaugurate him for a third term as president.

The long-time leader said this meant maintaining "interethnic and religious accord, political stability against the backdrop of serious democratization of the political system, and tough preventive measures against threats to national security," Nazarbayev said.

Kazakhstan, which has enjoyed dynamic economic growth in the last few years on the back of high oil prices, is the world's ninth largest country with a population of about 15,000,000, and has more than 130 ethnic groups and 40 religious denominations. 

Nazarbayev was reelected as president for another seven years in a landslide election win in December.

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