Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addresses International Forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations - the Basis of Peace and Development” in Ashgabat
The official visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Turkmenistan, continued with the participation in the International Forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations - the Basis of Peace and Development,” dedicated to the 300th anniversary of outstanding Turkmen poet and spiritual leader Magtymguly Pyragy, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the press service of Akorda.
Taking the floor, the Kazakh President said that Magtymguly Pyragy was the founder of the Turkmen classic literature and outstanding philosopher of the entire East.
“The decision taken by the UNESCO to include Magtymguly Pyragy’s heritage into the Memory of the World international register is a clear example of his historical significance. His oeuvre is greatly respected in the Turkic world. For this reason, TURKSOY declared year 2024 as the Year of Memory of the Great Poet and Thinker Magtymguly Pyragy. I am confident that this decision will contribute to the popularization of his legacy at the international level,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
According to him, amid the complicated geopolitical situation and numerous global challenges, the heritage of the world-famous poet gains more relevance.
“Magtymguly Pyragy’s heritage deeply imbued with humanistic ideas, reminds all of us about enduring values of peace, trust and mutual respect. All his works are filled with selfless love for the Motherland. He saw the bright future of his nation in unity with the world and harmony with neighbors,” said the President.
He expressed confidence that stage-by-stage development of Turkmenistan and large-scale socio-economic and political reforms will help strengthen centuries-long Turkmen statehood.
“Next year, Turkmenistan will mark the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality. Constantly adhering to this status, maintaining its identity, firmly defending its national interests, Ashgabat gradually strengthens its authority in the international arena. Neutral Turkmenistan hugely contributes to ensuring security and stability in the world, to the promotion of multifaceted cooperation in Central Asia and Caspian region. On the initiative of Turkmenistan, the UN General Assembly declared 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust. Your country’s achievements are a bright example of fulfillment of Magtymguly Pyragy’s lifelong dream on creation of a strong Turkmen state,” he said.
The Head of State told the attendees about the events organized in Kazakhstan in honor of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly, which will serve as a tool of popularization of the great thinker’s rich heritage and development of cultural diplomacy. In his words, the opening of a monument of Magtymguly Pyragy in Astana evidences unbreakable ties of friendship and good-neighborly relations between the two countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also noted that on the eve of his official visit, Ashgabat hosted a ceremony of inauguration of a monument to great Kazakh thinker Abai Kunanbayev. He pointed out that Abai’s and Magtymguly’s heritage are united with deep thoughts about the future of their nations and high ideas of humanism.
“Their rich spiritual heritage holding a special place in the culture of our peoples is the domain of the entire mankind. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have common spiritual roots, common history and centuries-long ties of friendship. These unchanging values underlie the active dialogue between the two countries which promotes further rapprochement of our peoples and deepening of the Kazakh-Turkmen relations,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş addressed the forum.
President Tokayev arrived in Turkmenistan on October 10 for an official visit. He was greeted by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, at the Ashgabat Airport
The official visit of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev began with a meeting with the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The President of Kazakhstan and the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan participated in a ceremony of unveiling of the Monument to Abai Kunanbayev in Ashgabat.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also laid a wreath at the Turkmenistan Independence Monument.
“For us, Turkmenistan is a very close country, a natural strategic partner. I would like to say that Kazakhstan has been and remains a reliable ally of Turkmenistan in all spheres mentioned by you – be it energy, transport, logistics, or cultural-humanitarian cooperation,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during the talks with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, held behind closed doors.
Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Serdar Berdimuhamedov adopted the Declaration of Strengthening Partnership and Deepening Multifaceted Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The members of the delegations signed as many as 20 documents at the intergovernmental, interdepartmental and interregional level.
