Message of congratulations by Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi on Independence Day

On December 16 we celebrate our biggest national holiday - Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Over the past 29 years, Kazakhstan has made significant progress in building a democratic, constitutional and social state with a fast-growing economy. Our country has managed to find its rightful place in the international arena and become more recognized internationally.

Thanks to the First President – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, an assertive multi-faceted foreign policy was set out, aimed at establishing friendly relations with the international community, maintaining peace and security on the planet.

Today, this course is successfully continued by his loyal colleague, who made a huge contribution to the formation and development of Kazakhstan's diplomacy – the Head of our state, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

During this short historic period, the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made and continue to make an outstanding contribution to the progressive development of our state and society. For the first time in our centuries-old history, we have achieved widespread international recognition and consolidation of our state border, established diplomatic relations and built mutually beneficial partnerships with 186 countries.

Significant progress has been made in the international arena, both through bilateral cooperation and within the framework of international organizations. Kazakhstan has made a significant contribution to the global non-proliferation efforts and disarmament of nuclear weapons, as well as to the work of international organizations such as the UN, the OIC, the CIS, the SCO and the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States. Our Elbasy is the author of the idea of voluntary, mutually beneficial and equal regional economic integration, which has helped to establish the Eurasian Economic Union. Kazakhstan is also an active supporter of the further integration process in Central Asia. Important achievements of Kazakhstan's diplomacy over the years of independence also include the successful chairmanship in the OSCE, being elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the establishment of the CICA, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and the Islamic Organization for Food Security.

Our strength has increased through the integration of such eternal values as unity, peace and harmony, morality and tolerance. In congratulating you on Independence Day, I sincerely wish our state and nation well-being and prosperity, and all Kazakhstanis health and success.