MONUMENT TO ABAI KUNANBAYULY UNVEILED IN ASHGABAT

On October 10, 2024, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Turkmenistan on an official visit.

At the capital's International Airport, where the national flags of the two countries were raised on flagpoles and the Guard of Honor was lined up, the distinguished guest was warmly and cordially greeted by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Here, in the air harbor, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a bilateral meeting, which was preceded by a joint photo ceremony against the backdrop of the national flags of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Warmly welcoming the distinguished guest to the Turkmen land and thanking him for accepting the invitation to pay an official visit to our country, Hero-Arkadag emphasized that Turkmen-Kazakh relations are strategic in nature and are developing dynamically across their entire spectrum.

Having expressed sincere gratitude to Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the warm welcome, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan sees Turkmenistan as a good friend and close neighbor.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also noted the significant personal contribution of the National Leader of the Turkmen people to strengthening the interstate dialogue, emphasizing that Hero-Arkadag has great authority in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, which was held in a trusting, constructive atmosphere, the high level of Turkmen-Kazakh relations built on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect and support was noted with satisfaction.

Then, the official welcoming ceremony of the head of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place on the square in front of the terminal for receiving distinguished guests.

After the ceremony, the joint motorcade of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan proceeded to the venue of the celebration on the occasion of the opening of the monument to the great Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev.

The event was attended by delegations of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan, cultural figures. Colorful performances by artists of the two countries gave the holiday a unique flavor.

Addressing the participants of the ceremony, Hero-Arkadag said that this year the 300th anniversary of the outstanding master of words, famous philosopher and thinker of the East Makhtumkuli Fragi is widely celebrated at the international level, various events are organized in Turkmenistan and abroad. Today, in a beautiful park located in a picturesque corner of Ashgabat, we are holding the opening ceremony of the monument to Abai Kunanbayev, the great poet of the fraternal Kazakh people, an outstanding figure of culture and art, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty continued and congratulated all the participants of the celebration on this wonderful event.

Hero Arkadag reported that for his services in popularizing the literary heritage of the outstanding Eastern thinker Makhtumkuli Fragi in the world, as well as in developing friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov decided to award the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the jubilee medal "Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna".

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the National Leader of the Turkmen people sincerely congratulated the head of the neighboring state on this award and presented it with great respect. Then the floor was given to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Having expressed gratitude to the Hero-Arkadag and the entire Turkmen people for awarding the jubilee medal "Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna", the head of the friendly state noted that he accepts this award as a sign of mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Today, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is a special day in the spiritual life of the two countries. The installation of a monument to Abai Kunanbayev, the great poet and thinker of the Kazakh people, in Ashgabat is a vivid manifestation of the special respect of the Turkmen brothers for the Kazakh people. In this regard, the distinguished guest addressed words of sincere gratitude to the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for supporting this good undertaking.

The culmination moment is approaching: the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev open the monument to Abai Kunanbayev.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan laid bouquets of flowers at the foot of the monument and paid tribute to the great master of words.

Then the members of the delegations of the two countries laid flowers at the monument.

After the ceremony, Hero-Arkadag and the head of the friendly state said goodbye to the participants of the celebration and left the scene of the event.