Nazarbayev says Central Asia should remain a region of cooperation and stability

    By Aiman Turebekova
    During the Nur Otan Party’s 17^th Annual Congress on January 29, President Nursultan Nazarbayev placed great emphasis on the stability of Central Asia needed to pursue peace and security.
    “Kazakhstan once again calls on its Central Asian neighbors to resume multilateral cooperation formats. This will strengthen the economic and geopolitical potentials of the entire region. We will do everything possible to strengthen the process of Eurasian integration. I would unequivocally say that the Nur Otan Party has positioned itself as a party of Eurasian optimists,” the Kazakh president said.
    Nazarbayev also noted that as part of Eurasian Economic Union, it is important to implement consistent steps to establish a common market.
    “Kazakhstan will take part in China’s Silk Road Economic Belt. We have already signed a joint program for the creation of enterprises with Chinese capital in the chemical, metallurgical, energy and transport industries as well as the mechanical engineering sector. Kazakhstan has suggested a new large-scale idea to open Eurasia,” said the President.
    The president recalled the signing of agreements by Kazakhstan on enhanced partnership and cooperation with the European Union and its accession into the World Trade Organisation.
    He also drew attention to the fact that Kazakhstan will strengthen its strategic partnership with Russia, China, the United States, the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States and its Central Asian neighbors.
    Moreover, Nazarbayev stressed that in an age of new security threats, the country is calling on the international community to restore global confidence.
    “We urge all countries to unite to eliminate threats to the spread and upgrade of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism. This must be done today so that our children and grandchildren could live quietly tomorrow,” the president added.
    Nazarbayev also set March 20 as the date for the early parliamentary vote.
    The previous parliamentary election in January 2012 led to the three-party Majilis with the ruling Nur Otan Party holding the overwhelming majority of 107 seats, according to the Astana Times.