The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK) is a unique organisation that has been making a difference for the past 19 years. Recently, Yegor Kappel, a member of the Mazhilis and deputy head of the parliamentary group of The Assembly of People of Kazakhstan discussed the goals, objectives and tactics of the association in an interview with The Astana Times.
From the perspective of the deputy head of the parliamentary group of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, tell us about the group’s activities.
According to Kazakhstan’s Constitution, the APK nominates nine deputies to the country’s legislature. We have extensive plans for our future undertakings: our Doctrine of National Unity, the Strategy of APK’s development until 2020, the law titled “On the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.” The group’s doings are carried out in accordance with the mandate given at assembly sessions by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Chairman of APK.
At the latest APK session, Nazarbayev instructed APK to establish regional parliamentary groups in the maslikhats (local representative bodies.) Regional parliamentary groups carry out their activities according to the law “On the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan” and according to the group’s working plan, which reflects the President’s orders and the APK development strategy. The parliamentary group, which includes parliament members from all parliamentary factions, is an interactive platform to discuss various topics and is actively involved in issues pertaining to interethnic concord.
How do you see the future of APK? Will its role change, for example, after 2020?
Over time, the citizens of Kazakhstan will become polyglots. We will learn to speak Kazakh, know the culture, customs and traditions of the Kazakh people, as well as the culture of all nationalities living in Kazakhstan. Our multinational unity has been forged by the centuries old friendships that cement Kazakhstan’s multi-ethnic society together and our state policy regarding public consent, which will remain a priority.
We have a common history and common future. Currently, moods about migration are changing, from what we can tell at least. This is a sign of stability and reflects positively upon our national policy and on our developing economy. The culture of our society, the core of which is Kazakh culture, continues to develop. Everyone born in Kazakhstan is interested in the history, customs and traditions of their native country as any citizen should be.
Unity in diversity is today the main theme behind our civil society. I want to stress again that our model of social harmony is unique and special. We do not impose our experience, but seek to make it of interest to others around the world.
