An interview of Dr. Stefan Gadola, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Cluj-Napoca.
Can you please share with us your opinion regarding the H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent initiatives on public safety, the rule of law and human rights?
Dr. Stefan Gadola - Well, first of all I should emphasized that the main goal of President Tokayev, since his inauguration, has been to position himself as the ‘hearing President’ - the figurehead of the ‘hearing state’.
I believe that the President has taken significant steps in achieving this goal. He has announced a series of domestic, social, economic and political policies aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens of Kazakhstan.
What do you believe makes Kazakhstan as ‘hearing state’?
Dr. Stefan Gadola - Taking into account that the President has consistently emphasized his commitment to the principle of the ‘hearing state’. In this regard, such initiatives as the National Council of Public Trust have been established as platforms in which wider society can discuss different views and strengthen the national conversation regarding government policies and reforms. These significantly reduced bureaucratic delays and provided citizens the opportunity to voice concerns to the highest levels of government.
What kind of steps or measures taken by President Tokayev to further modernize Kazakhstan?
Dr. Stefan Gadola – All new initiatives are in line with the social, economic and political measures taken by President, which include social, economic and political spheres.
For example, in social sphere will be an additional 2.3 trillion tenge ($6 billion) is to be allocated towards developing healthcare systems and a further 2.8 trillion tenge ($7.2 billion) to be allocated towards covering the healthcare costs of citizens.
As well as, President Tokayev has instructed that scholarships to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students are raised by 25%. Strict measures are also to be taken against educational institutions which print fake diplomas.
In economic sphere for currency stabilizing Mr. Tokayev decided that the National Bank, in order to increase public and investor confidence in the tenge, will announce the exchange rate of the National Fund’s currency market on a monthly basis and adopt a new monetary policy strategy.
Along with that, President Tokayev has strengthened the fight against the shadow economy, businesses will be provided with tools to assess and verify the legality of their potential business partners through a database drawn from the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs.
In political sphere. President Tokayev to foster alternative views and opinions instructed to allow representatives from other parties to hold Chair positions on some Parliamentary committees for making a Parliamentary pluralism.
Besides this, will be allocated a special place for peaceful rallies in central areas and a new draft law outlining the rights and obligations of organizers, participants and observers will be passed.
As well as, there was taken by President such measures as political party registration, which will be reduced the minimum membership threshold needed to register a political party from 40,000 to 20,000 members.
Furthermore, President Tokayev has cancelled the mandatory registration of foreigners with the migration police during visits to Kazakhstan.
Along with that President Tokayev has ordered that Article 130 of the Criminal Code on defamation will be decriminalised and transferred to the Administrative Code.
I believe that we can learn from each other a great initiative, which will be mutually beneficial for both our countries.