+4° / -3°C WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2019 No 6 (168) www.astanatimes.com New President sworn in, praises Astana renamed predecessor, pledges continuity as Nur-Sultan President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, By Aidana Yergaliyeva March 20 immediately after he took the oath of office at the joint session NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Presi- of the Kazakh Parliament. dent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has “It is necessary to immortalise the signed a decree allowing the capi- name of our great contemporary, tal city of Astana to be renamed the First President of the Repub- Nur-Sultan in honour of the coun- lic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Naz- try’s founding President Nursultan arbayev. Our capital should bear the Nazarbayev, akorda.kz announced name of our President and be called March 23. Nur-Sultan. I would like to add that The decree reads as follows: “In this proposal was already expressed accordance with Article 9 of the Law by parliamentarians in the declara- of Dec. 8, 1993 ‘On the administra- tion adopted Nov. 23, 2016 on the tive and territorial structure of the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Republic of Kazakhstan,’ I decree: the independence of the Republic 1. To rename the city of Astana of Kazakhstan,” he said. – the capital of the Republic of Ka- The Kazakh government pro- zakhstan to the city of Nur-Sultan posed the President hold a national – the capital of the Republic of Ka- referendum to amend the Constitu- zakhstan. tion to rename the capital. President 2. This decree comes into force Tokayev submitted to the Parliament on the day of its first official pub- a proposal to change the name with- lication.” out a referendum. The Constitution- Tokayev has also signed amend- al Council had a positive ruling on ments to the country’s Constitution. the proposed change. As a result, the President Tokayev suggested Parliament approved the renaming renaming Astana as Nur-Sultan to of Astana to Nur-Sultan. perpetuate the name of the First Continued on Page A2 Improving social welfare among Photo credit: akorda.kz. Photo credit: top priorities for Kassym-Jomart Tokayev taking the oath of office at the joint session of Parliament. Tokayev defined the First security, peacemaking and mutual streets in all the cities of the coun- Kyzylorda Region By Elya Altynsarina President’s place in history: “He confidence. try after Nazarbayev. He has been improve performance in the com- is already there as an outstand- Therefore, the President called also awarded a status of Honour- By Malika Orazgaliyeva ing years? NUR-SULTAN – The new Presi- ing reformer; he has managed on the people of Kazakhstan for ce- able Senator of the Parliament and We developed a plan of priority dent of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart to transform Kazakhstan into a menting the political legacy of El- received at the end of the ceremony, NUR-SULTAN – In an exclusive actions of the Akimat (regional ad- Tokayev, was sworn in March 20 modern, advanced state among basy (Kazakh for Leader of the Na- the highest merits of the nation Ha- interview to this newspaper, Akim ministration) of the Kyzylorda Re- during a joint session of the cham- the 50 most competitive coun- tion) and giving him the honour he lyk Kaharmany (Hero of the Na- (Governor) of Kyzylorda Region gion for 2019 in accordance with bers of the Kazakh Parliament. tries in the world. His economic rightfully deserves. Such a measure tion) and Yenbek Eri (Hero of La- Krymbek Kusherbayev discusses the state-of-the-nation addresses bour). Tokayev was sworn in following major developments in the region of the President of Kazakhstan of the surprise resignation March 19 In addition to political powers to develop industry based on the Oct. 5, 2018, “Growing Welfare of Kazakhstan’s founding and only the First President will be vested public-private partnership princi- of Kazakh Citizens: Increase in previous President Nursultan Naz- with, Tokayev announced that “El- Income and Quality of Life,” of arbayev. basy’s word will have a priority in ple, promote tourism to the region famous for hosting the Baikonur March 5, 2018, “Five Social Initia- Tokayev, who had been serving the strategic decision-making in the tives of the President,” state pro- space launch site, among other as the Senate Speaker, dedicated country.” grammes, Strategy of Socio-Eco- subjects. his first speech as President to “Thus, we perform the transfer nomic Development of the region the achievements Kazakhstan has of power in a calm, non-conflict for 2020 and taking into account made since independence under situation, which is a powerful fac- What is on the agenda in terms the current economic situation. Nazarbayev’s leadership. Tokayev tor in ensuring domestic stability of social and economic develop- praised his predecessor for his deci- and strengthening the international ment? What is being planned to Continued on Page A6 sion, which was “dictated by con- prestige of Kazakhstan,” said the siderations of a highest order, true President. concern for the future of our state.” He thanked Nazarbayev for en- According to the President, against trusting him with the important role all odds that Kazakhstan faced in its in challenging times of world de- early years of sovereignty, geopoliti- velopment. Botai horses were first cal challenges and negative outlook, “Aware of the scope of respon- Nazarbayev succeeded in building and political reforms became a would help society, and particularly sibility of the new mission, I will a globally recognised state and im- symbol of wise government pol- the youth, to be able to justly evalu- put my knowledge and experience plementing reforms in all spheres of icy.” ate Nazarbayev’s work, he said. to ensure the continuity of the stra- to be domesticated, societal development. Overall, the new President thor- As a step towards recognising tegic course of the First President,” “As a long-time ally of Nursultan oughly narrated the historic deci- Nazarbayev’s name, Tokayev pro- Tokayev noted. Nazarbayev, I can say that he de- sions and greatest outcomes of posed to rename the capital city “The common goal for all of us voted his life to a noble service for Nazarbayev’s presidency over the from Astana to Nursultan; erect a will be to preserve and strengthen says UK professor the well-being of our people,” said last 30 years, including those aimed monument to the First President the independence of our state,” To- were first domesticated very early Tokayev. at enhancing regional and global in Astana and rename the central kayev concluded. By Nurbek Amisha in the Botai culture in modern Ka- zakhstan about 5,500 years ago. We NUR-SULTAN – Alan Outram, have evidence that they were milk- a professor of archaeological sci- ing horses at that time. We found ence at the University of Exeter, chemical evidence in the pottery in the United Kingdom has stud- that there was once kumys (fer- Nauryz celebrated throughout the country ied the Botai culture in North Ka- mented horse milk) present, which events, including championships with skin or felt) and altybakan performance of Mar Baidzhiyev’s zakhstan over the last two decades. obviously is a key indication that domesticated horses were being Staff Report in the martial arts and Kazakh kur- (traditional Kazakh swing) instal- novel “Tyl Tabyskandar” at Ka- He and his colleagues conducted milked. We also have evidence that esy [wrestling]. lations were featured at all venues. libek Kuanyshbayev Kazakh Dra- excavations at Botai and proved they were ridden because there are NUR-SULTAN – Nauryz, a Festivities started a few days Both Kazakh President Kassym- ma Theatre March 20 and March horses were first domesticated marks on the teeth, which showed holiday marking the coming of before the holiday in residential Zhomart Tokayev and former within what is now modern-day 22, respectively. they wore some sort of bit. Also, spring and the beginning of a neighbourhoods. Residents of the President Nursultan Nazarbayev Outdoor concerts also took place Kazakhstan approximately 5,500 years ago. This interview with the we found in the structure of settle- new year, was celebrated March International, Michurino, Zhelezno- attended celebrations at the EXPO at Zhetysu Park, City Square and ment, there are corral areas where professor took place in the Ka- 21-25 throughout the capital with dorozhny, Promyshlenny commu- 2017 site, congratulating Kazakhs the square near the Kazakh Eli they could have kept the horses. zakh capital as he was attending a outdoor concerts, sports competi- nities were the first to celebrate, on Nauryz. Nazarbayev personally monument March 20, March 21 There are a lot of all the types of screening of the film “Equus: His- tions and national artifact exhi- then the celebrations continued in gave his blessing to nine newly- and March 22, respectively, and horse bones around the site which bitions, said Nur-Sultan Akimat Prigorodnoye, Urker, Ondiris, Ka- wed couples attending the cel- Zhastar Palace held a concert tory of the Horse.” is another indication horses were (city administration) Deputy Akim zgorodok and Koktal. Celebratory ebrations. Astana Akim (Mayor) March 21-22. being kept close to the settlement. (Mayor) Nurlan Nurkenov. Similar events were held in 23 locations, Bakhyt Sultanov and Mazhilis Over the holidays, the Kazakh na- Recently some scientists, in- If horses were hunted away from wide-ranging public celebrations including at the EXPO 2017 site, (lower house of Parliament) depu- tional football team started its Euro cluding yourself, have proven the site, only certain parts would were organised throughout the City Square, the square near the ties also attended the EXPO 2017 2020 qualifying campaign with a that the horses were first domes- be transported back to Botai from whole nation.