PACE leadership and deputies congratulate Kazakhstan on the 30th anniversary of its independence and highly evaluate its internal political reforms

Strasbourg, 27 September 2021 –The leadership and deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) highly evaluate the current political reforms in Kazakhstan, especially in the area of inclusive education, and note the progressive results achieved by the country during its 30 years of independence.  

This was addressed to the Kazakhstan delegation headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Mr. Askar Shakirov, which takes part in the autumn session of the PACE.

It is also noteworthy that the exhibition of art works painted by young Kazakhstan children with special needs called "The World through the Eyes of Children" was opened in the main hall of the Council of Europe building. More than 200 European deputies, who came to the autumn hybrid session of the PACE, can get familiar not only with the creativity of Kazakh children, but also with the reforms initiated by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in the sphere of inclusive education and protection of the rights of disabled people. 

PACE President Rik Daems expressed his admiration for the creativity of young talents and, being an artist, he could recognise Kazakhstan's Chagall and Picasso. PACE President encouraged the efforts of Kazakhstan’s leadership to protect the rights of such children and provide them with all opportunities for their normal development. He also expressed his appreciation for the political initiatives of the Head of the State to activate political party organization, the introduction of parliamentary opposition, the strengthening of the Institution of the Ombudsman and the abolition of the death penalty. "It is important to continue working in rapprochement of Kazakhstan and the PACE attitudes in the issues of democracy, respect of human rights and the rule of law” said R.Daems.

 The national music performance and the photo exhibition about Kazakhstan were also organized for the PACE delegates within the framework of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Independence of Kazakhstan. PACE Vice-Presidents  Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland) and Arkadiusz Mularczyk (Poland), made the welcoming speech and on behalf of the Organization congratulated Kazakhstan with this event, emphasizing the great success of the country in the international scene and its deliberate internal political course. "Kazakhstan is using its historical chance wisely.  Knowing personally the former President Nazarbayev and being in friendly terms with the current President Tokayev, I share the basic principles, on which they build the foreign policy, consolidate national security and contribute for its development ", - told K.Kiljunen. Among the guests for this event there were also parliamentarians from Spain, Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Norway, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and other countries who, according to their words, received lots of positive impressions from the creativity of Kazakh artists and the culture of Kazakh people.