Speaking at a session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the country’s peaceful and friendly relations with its neighbors, particularly highlighting ties with China, according to the presidential press office.
Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s strategic alliance with Russia, calling it the country’s «main strategic partner and ally,» and pointed to the deep historical ties with China.
«The Chinese people have never harmed the Kazakh people and will not do so in the future,» he said.
The president also spoke warmly about Kazakhstan’s other neighboring nations.
«The Kyrgyz living in the Alatau Mountains are our brothers. Since ancient times, we have regarded Uzbeks as kin. Turkmens are a kindred people too; we honor our common ancestors. We also share sincere feelings for Azerbaijan, with which we share the shores of the ancient Caspian Sea,» Tokayev said.
He added that Kazakhstan has no unresolved issues with any of its neighbors and continues to maintain what he described as «brotherly relations» with all of them.
Earlier reporting by Kursiv Media noted Tokayev’s firm stance on language rights in Kazakhstan, where he stated that everyone has the freedom to choose their language of communication, and that any efforts to impose a different language will be suppressed by law.
