Speech of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, at the ceremony of raising the new National Flag in Ala-Too Square, celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of Independence
Unofficial translation
August 31, 2024, 08:30, Bishkek city, Ala-Too central square
Dear compatriots!
Honorable elders participating in the celebration of our independence!
Dear guests who came to celebrate the great day of the nation!
We have established the tradition of solemn celebration of the Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic with the noble goal of knowing the value of freedom and independent development, preserving it with dignity, and passing it on to future generations.
For that, we bow our heads and pay homage to the heroism of our ancestors who sacrificed their lives to build independent and developed Kyrgyzstan. It is our sacred duty to continue the work of those fathers!
In fulfillment of this duty and to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast, which is now Kyrgyzstan, we raise our state flag to a height of 100 meters in the heart of Bishkek, the heart of Kyrgyzstan.
First of all, I sincerely congratulate you all on the great day of the nation – the Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic!
May our sovereignty never be threatened! May Kyrgyzstan’s development continue to reach new heights and our red flag always flutter proudly!
Honorable compatriots,
During the campaigns, our ancestors, starting with Manas the Magnanimous, raised their red pennants high and shed blood for the independence of the people. We know this very well.
And today, in modern times, for the sake of the integrity and unity, honor and dignity and new successes of Kyrgyzstan, we unite under one flag, strengthen our solidarity, and wave our red flag high.
Thus, the raising of our red flag, illuminated by the rays of the sun, symbolizes that we are an independent and united people, a state, following the path of development, that we are recognized and acknowledged in the international arena.
The name of Kyrgyzstan became famous around the world, and the triumph of our national spirit was once again manifested at the recently held 33rd Olympic Games. Our sons and daughters, in whose veins flows the blood of our heroic ancestors, did not disgrace the honor of the country, and raised our red flag on par with the flags of the leading countries of the world.
The red flag left by Manas today remains a symbol of Kyrgyz statehood, the unity of all Kyrgyzstanis and devotion to the Motherland.
Today, our independence is the result of the steadfast unity, solidarity, and above all, the love for the Motherland displayed by our heroic ancestors, led by the Aikol (Great) Manas, the nation’s forefathers and their followers from a century ago, our citizens who have cared deeply about our state, our brave men who have given their lives for every inch of our land, and our people who have made our country known to the world!
Therefore, our red flag will continue to be a sacred symbol, guiding us towards new victories and successes on the path to building a prosperous Kyrgyzstan. It will strengthen the patriotic feelings of our younger generation and increase the responsibility of our people to the Motherland.
Honorable compatriots,
Independence is a sacred value for us! Our ancestors created a nation, protected lands, created an army, sent their ambassadors abroad, and at all times of their state development carefully preserved the red flag as the main symbol.
Today we have our native language, in which the greatest epic “Manas” was created, our national culture rich in traditions and customs, our deep history and, most importantly, the youth, who carry the spiritual heritage of our ancestors, are able to raise our red flag even higher.
We are the descendants of a mighty people with a strong spirit!
Therefore, as a sign of respect, today, on this Independence Day, we raise our state flag with pride.
Dear Fellow Citizens,
During the years of independence, we have faced various challenges. Blindly copying foreign cultures, we have encountered behaviors that conflict with our mentality and values.
As a result, our sacred concepts were distorted, and our country weakened. Unrestrained speech began to be considered a manifestation of the people’s will, anarchy was taken for democracy, and freedom of speech was replaced by gossip and rumors.
Those with “deep pockets” formed parties to protect their own interests and ran for elections. Even now, those who claim that “Kyrgyzstan is turning into an authoritarian state” are trying to lead us down this misleading and tempting path.
Today, we see a growing demand for security throughout the world, especially in developed democratic countries. I would like to emphasize that only a governance system that is adequate to the challenges and threats of our time can provide the necessary response.
For this, the vertical of power must be strong and strict. Leaders must be fair and responsible to the Motherland. Otherwise, it will be difficult to withstand the challenges and threats of the time.
Achieving a reasonable balance between democracy and government, between the market and government regulation, refusing to live by someone else’s rules and caring for national interests is not authoritarianism. This is the foundation of our independent state we are strengthening today!
A sovereign state is, first and foremost, a strong state capable of ensuring the stability and security of its citizens. Therefore, our primary task is to ensure comprehensive security. We attach great importance to this.
Honorable Kyrgyz Citizens,
Today we confidently say that we have embarked on the path of building a new Kyrgyzstan. Why? Because, like in a living organism, all social, economic and cultural spheres of the country are developing in a balanced manner, which accelerates our comprehensive development, like a bird flapping both wings evenly.
This progress is the result of our sound actions in constitutional, fiscal, and energy reforms, the consolidation of vertical power, and the growing strength of the rule of law.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Parliament, led by Nurlan Shakiev, and the deputies of the 7th convocation. You have supported our important decisions, major projects, reforms, and legislative initiatives without delay or empty words. As a result, our economy, as well as our domestic and foreign policies, are advancing rapidly, leading to significant successes.
Historical justice has been restored, the Kumtor mine has become state property, fiscal policy has been brought under control, and the tax and customs systems, that form the state budget have been put on a legal basis.
Moreover, through a relentless fight against corruption, the greatest threat to our independence, we managed to raise the prestige of our teachers, responsible for the education of future generations, and our doctors, who care for the nation’s health, by increasing their salaries.
Social facilities such as schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure are being built across the country. At the same time, we were able to raise the combat readiness of our army to the proper level. Although this seems to be routine actions by the state, they address problems that have accumulated for decades and have not been solved.
Last year, the gross domestic product of our country exceeded 1.2 trillion soms, and in the first seven months of this year, GDP reached 677 billion soms, with an economic growth rate of 8.7%. By the end of the year, our consolidated budget is expected to exceed 660 billion soms.
Thus, we have achieved stability in the real sector. As a result, Kyrgyzstan has become a country on a path of sustainable development, finding its place in the global arena and standing strong against competition.
However, many tasks still lie ahead. For the past two years, we have embarked on major projects and begun significant initiatives.
Of course, aside from the small hydroelectric power plants that started operating earlier this year, the construction of the Kambar-Ata-1 hydroelectric power station and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway are undoubtedly at the forefront of our most promising initiatives. These clearly demonstrate that Kyrgyzstan is a country with high ambitions, vast potential, and a bright future.
Today, we have reached a level where we can enter into equal, mutually beneficial relations with other developed countries as a sovereign state.
In restoring historical justice, I recently signed a Decree on “The Founding Fathers of Modern Kyrgyzstan.” Prior to this, I issued a Decree to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast at the state level.
The 100th anniversary of the founding of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast is the 100th anniversary of modern Kyrgyzstan! Our ancestors wisely noted that “In fifty years, the people change, in a hundred years, the land renews.” Thus, the last hundred years have been a century of unprecedented change and national aspiration in Kyrgyzstan’s history!
As you know, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region, which marked the beginning of modern statehood, we are celebrating today under the state flag raised to a height of 100 meters.
Against the backdrop of major changes and growth that have occurred in our society over the past 100 years, we are confidently entering a new 100 years.
To preserve our national identity and statehood, we have also undertaken the construction of 100 large industrial and 100 social facilities in honor of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast.
Just yesterday, we opened several facilities in the real sector and social sphere. As you witnessed, the “Terek-Tash” cement plant in Kemin, the “Isfayram-1” small hydroelectric power station in Kadamzhai, the “Kurak-Tektir” small hydroelectric power station in Nookat, the “Kara-Bulak” trade and logistics zone and meat processing plant in At-Bashy, the “Ming-Bulak” construction materials plant in Naryn, the “Zhunda” oil refinery in Zhaiyl, the gold refinery in Kara-Balta, the oil refinery in Suzak, the gold processing plant in Chatkal, and several other industrial enterprises, as well as new schools, kindergartens, and sports gyms, were officially inaugurated.
All these actions are confident steps to ensure the economic independence of sovereign Kyrgyzstan. Freedom of speech, protection of human rights and freedom, state integrity and economic independence constitute the basis of sovereignty.
All this – well-being, prosperity, wealth and sacred values to Kyrgyzstan! Therefore, we can confidently say that we are currently building a new Kyrgyzstan, which sincerely strives for development.
Honorable compatriots!
Living in a free and independent country is a great happiness!
I am convinced and believe that thanks to the efforts, patience and wisdom of Kyrgyz people, united from many ethnic groups, with strong unity, respect for traditions and friendship, we will be able to achieve significant success.
We will definitely achieve our goal – to turn Kyrgyzstan into a developed and strong country, which we will pass on to future generations.
There will be peace in our country and prosperity for our people!
Let there be unity and harmony in our society!
Let the red flag flutter forever in Kyrgyzstan!
The Almighty will help us, and let our independence be blessed!
