President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Kazakhstan
Dear ambassadors!
The unprecedented evolution of global and regional processes requires us to respond adequately to newly emerging realities and find effective ways for further social and economic development of our nation.
I have set out the scope of this work in my election platform and Annual Address to the people of Kazakhstan. Availing today’s opportunity, I want to outline the key points of my program of action during the presidency.
Kazakhstan’s democratic development has become irreversible. We will consistently implement a well-balanced, gradual political modernization bearing in mind stability and safety of our country.
Our priorities are based on the standards of leading OECD countries.
Hence, the government takes bold and solid steps towards these goals. The basic guideline for the state system of Kazakhstan is the following: "strong President - influential Parliament - accountable Government".
At the same time, the state stability should rest on constructive relations between citizens and government institutions.
Therefore, further development of public dialogue is high on our agenda.
As you know, the National Council of Public Trust has been established this summer.
This Council is a vehicle that facilitates the process of building a “Listening state”. In other words, we ensure that government efficiently responds to the vital needs of our citizens.
As the Head of state, I remain committed to developing political parties to support and encourage pluralism of views in our society.
Our citizens should fully exercise their right to freedom of expression. Therefore, legislative norms regulating peaceful rallies are currently being revised.
We actively work on upholding the role of civil institutions with the aim to increase accountability of all public authorities. We are expanding the power of civic councils, and empowering local representative bodies - maslikhats.
Public feedback mechanisms at all levels are being stimulated - from the Presidential Administration to rural governors (akims). The work of akims will ultimately be assessed by the local population.
Step by step renewal of the executive authorities is taking place. The Presidential pool of young professionals is under formation and to be launched soon.
A number of specific measures have been shaped to eliminate bureaucratic procedures in the activities of state bodies. For example, we have already achieved some positive results in introducing digital public services.
These steps give benefits not only to Kazakh citizens, but also to our foreign guests and tourists. As you know, I recently instructed the government to cancel the registration of foreigners at the migration office. I think, by the end of the year we will settle this issue, and will remove existing bureaucratic obstacles to the arrival of foreign guests to our country.
Also, I have adviced aviation authorities to declare Open Sky regime at 11 major airports of Kazakhstan, which allows air companies from all over the world to enjoy the Fifth degree of freedom of air.
In this respect, I would appreciate any valuable contributions by the Diplomatic Corps to this important matter.
Large-scale reforms are underway in the law enforcement and judicial systems. Well-being of the entire state depends on the level of citizens’ trust to these institutions. That’s why, we take resolute actions aimed at comprehensive transformation of this vital sphere.
We do realize that political stability and effectiveness of the state apparatus are indispensable for economic growth.
There are some achievements in this regard. GDP in the 10 months of 2019 grew at 4.4%.
In the Doing Business 2020, Kazakhstan secured the 25th position. In the WEF Global Competitiveness Index, our country has earned 55th rank. In the next five years, we plan to essentially improve our positions in international rankings.
Yet, there is no room for complacency, and the Government has to deal with this challenging task in a professional manner and fully understand its responsibility.
We have a great deal of work ahead to further diversify our economy. Without its successful implementation, we will not be able to build a modern, self-sufficient and resilient economy.
Our government is focused on the development of high-tech and non-resource sectors of industry, and production of high value-added products.
Building a stable and advanced financial sector is another key to Kazakhstan’s prosperity.
Here, we have high hopes for the Astana International Financial Centre. During the last two years 285 companies have registered at this platform. We plan to increase this number up to 500 by the end of 2020.
The government is heavily investing in digital infrastructure.
A special state programme has been adopted, and the International Technology Park of IT startups “Astana Hub” has been launched.
We are creating a multimodal transport hub in Kazakhstan, including the field of air services.
Kazakhstan has set itself the task of establishing the most favorable conditions for foreign investments.
To this end, work will continue on improving existing legislation and minimizing all administrative barriers.
Active measures are being taken to support the national business community, first of all, small and medium enterprises. Starting from next year micro and small businesses will be exempted from any taxes.
We are allocating unprecedented funds for socially vulnerable segments of the population. This year a credit amnesty was declared, which covered more than 500,000 people.
Kazakhstan is a social state, and our main goal is to increase the welfare of our citizen.
Ultimately, the effect of economic growth should be felt by each and every citizen of Kazakhstan.
For Kazakhstan deepening a long-term strategic partnership with the United States of America is also a priority.
Both parties are actively implementing agreements reached during the visit by Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev to the United States last year.
Our relations with the European Union are also expanding in the spirit of constructive dialogue and multifaceted cooperation.
President of the European Council Mr. Donald Tusk paid a fruitful visit to our capital this May.
In July, a new EU Strategy for Central Asia was adopted, which outlines the priorities for interaction between the European Union and our region in years to come. It has become a vital new momentum to the Enhanced Partnership and Co-operation between Kazakhstan and the EU.
We also intend to boost mutually beneficial partnership with European countries on a bilateral basis.
We gradually expand meaningful co-operation with reliable partners from Asia and Middle East.
This cooperation is extremely important for Kazakhstan. Therefore I would like to express sincere appreciation to Ambassadors from Asia and Middle East who so decently represent their countries.
We intend to bring our nations even closer and create fresh impetus to our multifaceted ties.
Kazakhstan is also a part to the efforts of the international community in promoting national reconciliation process in Afghanistan. We actively contribute to the socio-economic development of this state, elimination of threats to regional and global security.
As part of its global initiatives in the field of security and co-operation, Kazakhstan continues to contribute to the resolution of conflicts and disputes.
Thirteen rounds of Astana Process on Syria, hosted by our government, meant to complement the Geneva process.
This year, in close interaction with our partners, we carried out a special humanitarian operation "Zhusan" in the Syrian conflict zone.
As a result, 595 Kazakh citizens returned to their homeland, including 406 children who were victims of brainwashing by the “Daesh”.
Looking at the crisis in Syria, we see that conflicts give rise to a new wave of terrorism and extremism. These threats can only be overcome through coordinated actions within the framework of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Network.
As a counter-terrorism measure, Kazakhstan has initiated a Code of Conduct to achieve a world free of terrorism by the centenary of the United Nations in 2045. Approximately 90 countries have joined this initiative.
The Renomé of a fair mediator and trust from the global community allowed us to expand the geography of Kazakhstan’s participation in the UN peacekeeping operations.
In October 2018, we deployed a peacekeeping mission as part of the Indian contingent of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Kazakh peacekeepers in Lebanon demonstrated their good will and professional skills in tackling really tough tasks.
Recently, the world has again faced serious tests to its multilateral trade system due to protectionism, sanctions and trade standoff.
In this regard, we call upon all our partners to join efforts and make important decisions that will enable the World Trade Organization (WTO) to meet current challenges and negative trends.
I believe that upcoming 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Nur-Sultan next June will provide us an excellent opportunity for ensuring more prosperous, rule based and sustainable world.
Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, diplomacy is the main instrument we employ to manage foreign relations, reduce risks and utilize opportunities to advance our security and well-being.
Current generation of diplomats have a crucial role to play in this noble cause.
In this regard, I look forward to continuing constructive dialogue with heads of state and government you represent here in Kazakhstan, to promote our common interests and to do what is best for our respective countries and for the world.
We do hope to see good, close international relations also between other actors in politics, civil society and business.
I wish every success in your valuable and demanding work.