the president of Kazakhstan - Kassym Jomart Tokayev.
Channel: SERBIA and WORLD
Date: 2024-04-05

the president of Kazakhstan - Kassym Jomart Tokayev.

In a span of last two and a half months, the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, had two comprehensive and detailed public addresses. Mr. Tokayev's extensive speech on March 15 at the National Kurultai, and a similar post-New Year interview with the respected, state-backed newspaper Egemen Qazaqstan, can be understood, due to their depth and content richness, as the president's program documents for the near and midterm future of the Kazakhstani young nation with an ancient history. 

The two events, at the forum which holds great importance for charting the course of Kazakhstan’s future, and the respected more than a century-lasting newspaper, can be considered as interlinked. Both occasions demonstrated further elaboration and projection of Mr. Tokayev's reformist course, which he inaugurated upon becoming head of state in 2019. With reforms, Kazakhstan has entered a stage of new political and socio-economic transformation. 

In the address at the National Kurultai, Mr. Tokayev primarily focused on Kazakhstan’s development, outlining key tasks and priorities for the country. All government decisions regarding domestic or foreign policy should be based on fundamental national interests, not on populism and opportunistic considerations.

The President stated that addressing economic issues alone does not suffice for becoming a genuinely developed nation. Therefore, Kazakhstan must take an overarching approach, including guidelines not only in the socio-economic realm but also in the ideological sphere.

In that sense, Mr. Tokayev elaborated that regarding domestic development: 

IT technologies, including a supercomputer and digital communication lines, are promising growth points. Have in mind that the President is among the most active users of social media of all Eurasian leaders and fully realizes that the government must now focus on total digitalization and accelerated development of artificial intelligence. 
the Government will increase the level of gasification of settlements and modernize utilities; the construction and reconstruction of the country’s road network will contribute to economic growth, enhance business activity, and increase social mobility. 
Regarding political development, President Tokayev promised to ensure a Just Kazakhstan; Kazakhstan will build a just State with strong democratic institutions and a developed legal system that ensures the rule of law and order; Kazakhstan will always be tolerant of all faiths, beliefs, and teachings that do not undermine statehood and public morality of the nation.

On national identity and image, Mr. Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s rich nomadic heritage, particularly referencing the Ulus of Jochi and the Golden Horde’s significant contributions to Central Eurasia’s history and state-building traditions. For him, the crucial point is that the perception of the Golden Horde in the world is inextricably linked with Kazakhstan. 

Head of State emphasized ongoing efforts to preserve and promote this historical legacy. Accordingly, Kazakhstan will celebrate the 800th anniversary of Jochi Ulus. The preparation of a multi-volume book on the history of Kazakhstan will be completed.

Elaborating on state foreign policy, the President emphasized that as a responsible member of the international community, Kazakhstan must always be ready to defend national interests, the sovereignty, and independence of the state. “This holds particular relevance today, with the growing trend worldwide to prioritize ‘might over right,’ and the emergence of discourse questioning the sovereignty of some allegedly “second-class” states, which are destined to be mere satellites, he stated. “A nation aspiring to claim its rightful place in the global community must stride forward with confidence, shedding the complexes and prejudices that diminish its potential,” Mr. Tokayev proclaimed.

The opinion is that in current delicate times, President Tokayev at the helm of the state is very good for Kazakhstan. He has rich experience in politics and diplomacy acquired over decades serving as Chairman of the Senate, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, a high-ranking official of the United Nations, and a diplomat posted abroad. This would help to shape Kazakhstan’s future and the foreign policy of the state.

Korkodelovic.