Kazakhstan's president marks entry into force of new constitution, hails “new era”

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated the nation's citizens on the entry into force of the country's new Constitution, describing the occasion as the beginning of a new chapter in Kazakhstan's development.

In a message published by the presidential administration, Tokayev said the new Constitution marks "the beginning of a new era in the history of sovereign Kazakhstan," Caliber.Az reports. 

"Today marks the beginning of a new era in the history of sovereign Kazakhstan. We are embarking on a path of steady progress, political and economic reforms, and large-scale modernisation," he said.

The president said the constitutional changes represent a fundamental transformation of Kazakhstan's political system and its key state and civil society institutions.

Referring to the nationwide referendum held on March 15, Tokayev said voters had made a historic decision that would shape the country's future for decades.

"This historic decision will forever remain in the annals of our country as a shining example of genuine patriotism and high civic responsibility on the part of millions of our compatriots," he said.

Tokayev also expressed confidence that the new Constitution would provide a strong legal foundation for further reforms and national development.

"I am convinced that, relying on the unshakable legal foundation of a Constitution that truly belongs to the entire nation, we will undoubtedly achieve all our goals and establish in society the constructive values of Law and Order, Diligence and Progress, Purity and Love of Nature."

He concluded by saying Kazakhstan would continue to pursue national unity and equal opportunities for its citizens.

"By uniting into an unbreakable monolith of national unity, we will undoubtedly scale the heights of world civilisation and build a Just Kazakhstan—a state of equal opportunities and comprehensive development for all citizens, without exception!"

By Sabina Mammadli