Foreign public figures' words about Nursultan Nazarbayev

20:07, 2 July 2009

sp;ASTANA. July 2. KAZINFORM /Anara Zhumabekova/ III Congress of Leaders of the World and Traditional Religions finished its work in Astana on July 2. 77 delegations from 35 countries took part in it. The I Congress took place in September 2003. Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission was the prominent guest of the first religious forum. In his message addressed to Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev he said: "It gives me great pleasure to send words of welcome to the organizers and delegates of your Congress in Kazakhstan. I also sincerely congratulate President N. Nazarbayev on organizing such an event. In a world of so many different cultures and denominations, such meetings as yours appear as the initial medium for dialogue. We in the European Union believe that intercultural and inter-religious dialogue is crucially important".

Kazinform also offers its readers several statements given in different periods of our history

Konchiro Matsuura, UNESCO General Director

August 25, 2001 meeting with Nursultan Nazarbayev
"New peace-serving initiatives proposed by the Kazakhstani leadership have been highly estimated by the UNESCO. Sharing Kazakhstan President N. A. Nazarbayev's concerns raised by hazardous trend towards nuclear potential built-up by certain countries, I consider holding an Almaty-based CICMA meeting to be a significant contribution to forming a new paradigm. International authority of Kazakhstan President in many respects promoted success of the CICMA which allowed Kazakhstan to become an Asian leader in terms of peace promotion. As a representative of a country which has learned the evil of nuclear arms at the first hand, I take to heart peace-promoting initiatives of Kazakhstan; as UNESCO Director General I welcome the efforts exerted by Kazakhstan President N. A. Nazarbayev targeted at liquidation of the nuclear arsenal".

Jack Straw, the UK Foreign Secretary
February 5, 2004 briefing following talks with Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana
"It should be mentioned that Kazakhstan, and Nursultan Nazarbayev personally, have considerably contributed to strengthening peace... Several states have voluntarily renounced their nuclear arsenal following the example set by Kazakhstan. I think the world should say thanks to Kazakhstan. Development of Kazakhstan during the years of independence is significant. Not only the raise of well being and life level are important, but also the development of economic institutes.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank
November 15, 2004 4th Congress of Financiers of Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty,
"I am impressed with ambitiousness and magnitude of President Nazarbayev's speech covering a broad scale of issues. I was particularly impressed with initiatives concerned with education and healthcare sectors, juridical system reforms and measures for tackling corruption. The Address was another evidence of President Nazarbayev's distinguished brilliant and innovational mind. But practical realization of the Address will become the main challenge of the nearest future, what lays immense responsibility upon the Government of Kazakhstan".

President and Nation