Respecting exceptionally the interests of the people and state I will make the decision right for the country, Nursultan Nazarbayev
ASTANA. January 21. KAZINFORM As reported earlier, on Thursday Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev held a session with participation of public figures of the country.
Chairman of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, Majilis Chairman Ural Mukhamedzhanov, Secretary of State - Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev, Head of the Presidential Office Asslan Mussin, 1st deputy chairman of Nur Otan Party Nurlan Nigmatullin, Majilis deputy, member of the Assembly of Nations of Kazakhstan Rozakul Khalmuradov and other public figures and statesmen took part in the meeting.
Those attending debated celebration of the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence as well as the nationwide initiative on holding the referendum on extending the First President's mandate.
"Our independence is our main value. That's why celebration of the anniversary is of great importance for every Kazakhstan citizen", the President said at the session. The years of independence were paved the way for strengthening the nationhood and forced modernization. Kazakhstan achieved great progress steering this way. Indeed within a few short years a young country has emerged. Efficient institutes of public administration were founded, political reforms were successful. We have built a modern market economy that proved its viability amid the global financial crisis. Last year Kazakhstan as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office hosted the OSCE Summit. This year we preside over the Organization of Islamic Conference. For the past 20 years we have strengthened the country, laid the foundation for further growth and prosperity. All the attainments we have reached are due to the country's independence. That's why the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence counts for much," the President stressed.
The participants of the session discussed the celebration of the 20th anniversary of independence and unanimously supported the idea of holding the referendum to prolong the terms of the First President - Leader of the Nation.
"Referendum should be set because it is the will of the people. The President has never ignored its country. Our President is the internationally recognized Leader who justified the confidence of the nation pursuing foreign and internal policy", head of the Russian socio-cultural centre of the East Kazakhstan oblast Mikhail Potanin said.
"Our President is our Leader. We will always support him," Abish Kekilbayev stated.
"Kazakhstan's authority grew thanks to the Head of State and the people want to see the country as a consolidated team led by the Leader, Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Head of State," Lieutenant General Bakhytzhan Yertayev said.
Head of "Adilet" party Maksut Narikbayev voiced support to the referendum. "The country needs the referendum for stable evolutionary transition from one system to another to further economic, social and political processes initiated by Nursultan Nazarbayev," Mr Narikbayev noted.
Chairman of the board of the Entrepreneurs' Forum of Kazakhstan Raiymbek Batalov spoke also in favor of the nationwide initiative.
Referendum is the expression of the will of the people envisaged by the constitutions of most countries of the world. We have decided to stand for the idea on holding the referendum because absolute majority of voters support it," 1st secretary of the Communist People's Party Vladislav Kosarev said.
The Head of the State expressed gratitude to the participants of the session for the support of the country's strategic course taken right from the start of the independent state and noted that the issue of holding the referendum is the expression of the will of the Kazakh people.
"Today we have addressed another issue which is actively debated in the society. I mean the completion of the signatures' collection campaign in support of the referendum and amendments, inserted by the Parliament to the Constitution, which let hold the referendum on extension of terms of the 1st President of Kazakhstan. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support, and cordial words you said. I am proud of the fact that initiative gained wide support. Above 5 mln signatures were collected. All the parties, public societies, NGOs and people backed the nationwide initiative. It is quite natural not a single statesman could ignore the will of the people. Weighing all pros and contras, taking into account the interests of the people and state I will take the right decision", the President said.