Astana, Kazakhstan, Sept. 23
By Daniar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Kazakhstan welcomes the official announcement of Afghan presidential election results by the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan.
The results showed that Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was elected the president of Afghanistan, while Abdullah Abdullah will serve as the country's chief executive.
The election marked the first peaceful handover of power in the country, according to a message from Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said the election is also an important step in establishing independent Afghanistan as a state developing in a democratic way.
Kazakhstan shares international community's general satisfaction with the Afghan people's decision to move forward and build a stable state and society, despite political and economic difficulties, said the message.
"We highly appreciate the people's desire to restore statehood in spite of threats to the country's security and the lives of many Afghans," the ministry said.
"We'd like to express hope that the national unity government will effectively use the mandate granted by the Afghan people in conducting major reforms aimed at improving the Afghan citizens' welfare, while the country's president will be a guarantor of the constitution for the sake of interests of all Afghans, who advocate peaceful nation-building and social progress."
The ministry said it has repeatedly reaffirmed its stance, which includes the support to peaceful terms for a broad national dialogue for the sake of reconciliation, and creating a permanent negotiation process between various political forces and public organizations in Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan, as a regional neighbor and responsible international partner, is interested in Afghanistan's becoming a friendly and steadily developing peaceful state for cooperation and prosperity of the entire region.