[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      KAZAKHSTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE CHABOT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2020

  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, as a co-chair of the U.S. Kazakhstan 
Caucus, I rise today to acknowledge Republic of Kazakhstan's 
Independence Day, which they celebrated on December 16. It's hard to 
believe that next year will mark the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's 
independence. While Kazakhstan still has considerable work to do, 
especially with respect to human rights and the rule of law, I applaud 
Kazakhstan for its commitment to democracy and for continuing to take 
the necessary steps toward a more democratic and free society for all.
  Democracy requires constant work and vigilance, and in Kazakhstan, 
President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who assumed office in 2019, has 
continued to focus on internal reforms which initially began under 
former President Nazarbayev. These reforms have focused on a variety of 
different areas including increasing the openness of government and the 
government's responsiveness to the concerns of ordinary Kazakh 
citizens. In that vein, Kazakhstan will hold parliamentary elections on 
January 10, after recently made parliamentary reforms, such as ensuring 
certain minority party rights within parliament.
  As Kazakhstan prepares to turn thirty years old, it is important to 
reaffirm the United States' commitment to Kazakhstan and to the 
bilateral relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan. 
Kazakhstan remains an important ally and partner in Central Asia and 
U.S. companies continue to be the largest source of direct foreign 
investment there. Kazakhstan, a strong partner in Afghanistan, entered 
into an Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century with the 
United States in 2018, where the U.S. and Kazakhstan agreed to 
heightened cooperation on political and security issues, Afghanistan 
and other defense initiatives, terrorism, extremism, rule of law, and 
human rights.
  Additionally, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global public 
health and economic crisis this year, Kazakhstan has been a leader and 
valuable partner with the United States. President Tokayev, has shown 
leadership in global health while working directly with the U.S. 
Centers for Disease Control, which maintains a Central Asian office in 
Kazakhstan.
  Madam Speaker, I applaud Kazakhstan's leadership, its progress, and 
its commitments to further political reforms that will secure its 
leadership role in the international community. I am watching with 
interest as Kazakhstan continues to strive to meet its international 
commitments to freedom, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. I 
look forward to continuing to support Kazakhstan in its embrace of 
democratic standards. I wish the people of Kazakhstan a happy 
Independence Day and look forward to celebrating the Republic's 30th 
anniversary next year.

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