President Nazarbayev on the role of Kazakh language

Kazakh language has become a factor to unite people of Kazakhstan, President Nazarbayev said when speaking at the 20th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan. “We have carefully created conditions to maintain cultural identity of even minor ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh land has united people of over 100 ethnic groups. For this diversity to be a single nation, a decent “cement” is needed (…) Today the main factor that “cements together” the nation is Kazakh language”, President said. “We have often cited examples of other multiethnic states … all those coming to the USA – whether they come from China, Arab countries, Asia – turn into Americans (…) and all of them are supposed to speak English. The language is the uniting factor. The same is applicable to France, Germany and other states (…) Throughout the ages the situation has been different in Kazakhstan (…) however, we should make it our priority to turn the language into a uniting factor, especially for generations to come”, he added. “Then this land will be a land of opportunities for all its residents regardless of their ethnic origin (…) Spread of Kazakh language shall be natural, not under pressure (…) Since Kazakhstan gained independence [in 1991], ethnic groups of Kazakhstan have strengthened their languages, cultural identity, traditions (…) not a single ethnic group has lost its language (…) there are media and theaters in many languages”, President emphasized. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan is a State institution dedicated to the harmonization of interethnic relations in Kazakhstan. APK is a key instrument in the framework of the State policy towards national unity. The Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (APK) gathers members from all ethnicities and regions.