The expert community's response to the speech of Nursultan Nazarbayev to the Kazakh people was, in general, without any sensations. It was a rare case when the majority of the analysts' forecasts on the tone and content of the president's speech were almost entirely justified. The Russian expert Andrey Karpov has placed the alleged emphasis in Nazarbayev's speech in the publication on the eve of the address: "I believe that the internal political theme will dominate over foreign policy topics. The economic situation in the country is very difficult, it is necessary to "keep" society in good shape." Basically, we can say that this assumption was correct.
The economic part of the message, as expected, contained theses already voiced at the extended session of the government. Some settings are matched almost word for word. For example, in the part where the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to develop a new privatization program, which would include Samruk-Kazyn, Baiterek and KazAgro. "The holdings must be converted into compact efficient organizations. If they will have nothing to do, these organizations should be eliminated," Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed.
The important point from the perspective of business is that the new privatization should be open. The preferential rights of shareholders to purchase the disposed assets will be abolished.
Another range of issues on which the experts were able to predict the main message of the president's speech are the questions of social protection and social stability during the economic crisis.
Summarizing all the elements of the presidential address on the anti-crisis program, we can clearly identify the key message facing the population of the country – the crisis will be overcome thanks to the unity of Kazakh society.
At the same time, Nursultan Nazarbayev urged the citizens of the country once again to live within their means, saying that in the terms of the new economy there is no place for useless expenditure. However, it became clear from Nazarbayev's further comments that the call to live within their means is addressed to those who, having high incomes, spend the money on display, buying "cars, palaces and yachts." Although this phrase was never sounded in the message, it could easily be read between the lines – you cannot parade your wealth unduly during a crisis.
Nazarbayev also appealed to young people to learn technical specializations. Thus, according to the president, every citizen of Kazakhstan would be able to find work in any conditions. If we talk about specifically implementing this thesis, according to Nazarbayev's proposal, a new project "Free professional technical education for everyone" will be launched in 2017. Based on this new resource of the conversion of working professions, the majority of Kazakh people will be provided with new specialties, if such a need arises.
In addition, in order to support employment, Nursultan Nazarbayev instructed the government to develop a new Employment Road Map. Participants of the new program will be engaged in the development of local infrastructure and improvement of human settlements.
Another statement expected from the President concerns the development of considered options for action, in the event of lower oil prices both to $30 and $20 per barrel of oil. Apparently, in this context it is necessary to assess the prospects of the de-dollarization of the economy of the country, which are in line with the strategic objectives outlined by the Russian government.
With regard to the international agenda, Nursultan Nazarbayev's comment concerning the Russian-Turkish conflict provoked the most interest from experts. "We are greatly saddened by the events that have occurred between Russia and Turkey. But at the moment not all the details are known. But the fact is that the Russian bomber didn't attack Turkey. It was not heading for Turkey, but to war with terrorists," the president said, stressing that Kazakhstan has always advocated a peaceful resolution of any conflicts. Regarding to Elbasy's personal position, he reiterated his willingness to mediate between Moscow and Ankara.
Thus, the phrase "a message without sensations" does not reduce the level of significance of this speech. Nursultan Nazarbayev outlined the main vectors of the anti-crisis program, once again demonstrating his commitment to solving complex economic problems through market methods. As for the psychotherapeutic effect of the performance, it can be assumed that the citizens of Kazakhstan expected exactly this calm and confident tone of speech from their president.
