Over the years of independence Kazakhstan cemented interfaith and interethnic friendship and understanding, Metropolitan Alexander

The Metropolitan noted that the objectives of society building in Kazakhstan - all-round socio-economic development based on unity and mutual respect - coincide with the religious views of the representatives of traditional confessions.

In his opinion, Kazakhstan's experience in ensuring inter-religious harmony and its effective model of national unity spark genuine interest of the global community. The Metropolitan believes that such success is a result of a centuries-long coexistence of Orthodoxy and Islam on the Kazakh land and mutual desire of the believers to defend the spiritual values in the face of unbelief prevailing in the modern world.

Your Eminence Alexander, You took part in the XVII session of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan held on the threshold of May 1 - the Day of Unity of Kazakhstan People...Could You tell, please, about the issues discussed at the session?

The session of the Assembly brought together the heads of republican and regional ethno-cultural associations, deputies of the Parliament, members of the Government, heads of various religious confessions, diplomatic missions, representatives of scientific and creative intelligentsia and mass media. Besides, Archbishop of Uralsk and Guryevsk Antony (he is also the member of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan), Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev) from Astana and Archpriest Sergiy Stopko from Petropavlovsk were invited to the event.

On this day we participated also in an enlarged meeting of the Assembly Council which was chaired by Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev and held prior to the session itself. We discussed the draft 2020 Strategy of the Assembly and the course of holding the events dedicated to celebration of the 20^th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence.

In general, as I have reiterated in an interview to foreign mass media, I am deeply confident that the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan is a unique institute which gives a great opportunity to the representatives of all ethnic groups and religions of the multinational and multi-confessional Kazakhstan to take an active part in development of our Motherland. We see how the Head of State whole devoted himself to serving the nation, for the benefit of the people. Therefore, the Assembly is an important and a necessary component of our society.

During the session the members of the Assembly called on the nation to unite to achieve the tasks set in the President's Address to the Nation Building the Future Together.

Taking the floor Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed that the state would support traditional religious confessions in the country and would fight any destructive sects. And this is of great importance for us, the representatives of clergy.

As we touched upon destructiveness of religious services, what should be done to combat this spirit of the times?

Sects are the disease of the society. Quite often activities far from religious intentions and principles are carried over under the cover of religion. There are sects that forbid making injections to the ill children, another forbid the youth to serve in the army. These are deconstructive manifestations. Throughout the world it is accepted to call Christians the representatives of traditional religions such as Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Lutherans and the rest are the sects.

The point at issue is that the countries began to understand destructiveness of religious organizations and I, in my turn, do not call on to force against them using administrative measures - this takes us nowhere. We have to adhere to spiritual principles.

Let's back to the session of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan themed "Independent Kazakhstan: 20 years of peace, harmony and creation"...

This year Kazakhstan marks 20^th anniversary of its independence, 20 years of peace, harmony and development. The principle "one country-one fate" became the cornerstone of the President's policy. Having gained its independence Kazakhstan achieved impressive results in its economic development, and improvement of the quality of life. Kazakhstan takes its unique and firm place on the political map of the world as one of the most reliable members of the international community. And President Nursultan Nazarbayev's landslide victory in the snap presidential elections became his and the people's triumph.

I would like to highlight the importance of the meetings with the Head of State where we discussed the urgent issues of the Russian Orthodox Church, the role of the religion in strengthening the society, etc.

I believe our people made the decent choice having cast their votes for their bright foreseeable future. The Russian Orthodox Church never takes part in the politics but before the elections we appealed to the people to honestly vote. We are glad of the convincing victory of the Leader of the Nation.

Your Eminence, could you tell us about the revival of the Orthodox Christians and what have done in the Russian Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan since your appointment?

Church-government system on the territory of Kazakhstan underwent drastic changes in 2010. The year was full labors. The Synod of metropolitan district was founded. The number of eparchies and bishops has increased. Until quite recently there were only three independent Orthodox eparchies in Kazakhstan. To date the geography expanded, another three eparchies were opened. An Orthodox school of theology - the higher theological institution of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan was set up in Almaty. It numbers above 100 full-time students and 150 pass part-time education. Training of skilled clergy is one of the key tasks Kazakhstan faces today. We plan to open religious schools for example in Pavlodar or Petropavlovsk.

Construction of the cathedral lasted throughout a year. A new 200-seat building of the Sunday school under the St Nicholas Cathedral in Almaty erected with the support of the Kazakhstan President opened its doors. Construction of the Uspensky Cathedral consecrated by the Most Holy Patriarch Kirill was accomplished in Astana last January. It is the first cathedral built for many decades in Central Asia. A decision was made recently to erect an Orthodox church on the right bank of the River Ishim nearby the Uspensky Cathedral. We have also submitted a request for the construction of a church on the left bank of the River Ishim. We launched an official site of the metropolitan district www.mitropolia.kz featuring the life and significant events of the church.