Kazakhstan's transition to Latin alphabet to boost relations among Turkic nations: diplomat
By Aynur Jafarova
Transition of Kazakhstan to Latin alphabet will contribute to mutual understanding among Turkic-speaking nations and give a new impetus to the development of relations among them, Azerbaijani ambassador to Kazakhstan Zakir Hashimov told the Baku-based Trend news agency on Thursday.
The diplomat noted that Azerbaijan is one of the CIS countries which made a transition from Cyrillic to Latin script.
"Of course, there were difficulties for some time. But now all citizens of our country read and write in Latin fluently," Hashimov said.
He expressed hope that Kazakhstan will be able to overcome difficulties in the period of transition from Cyrillic script.
"I am sure that the transition in Kazakhstan will be realized much faster. Azerbaijan, which has experience, is ready to share it with Kazakhstan," Hashimov said.
Hashimov also stressed that as in Kazakhstan, three languages are used in Azerbaijan: the official language - Azerbaijani, the Russian language, meant for international communication, and English, which is a bridge to the international community and a means of access to new technologies.
"I feel very happy when I hear that Azerbaijanis living in Kazakhstan speak the Kazakh language. It shows that they love and respect the country where they were born and live," the diplomat said.
About 130,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis live in the Central Asian state.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in his speech at the ceremony devoted to the 21st anniversary of National Independence Day on December 14, offered protection of the mother tongue and a transition from the Cyrillic to Latin alphabet.
"If every Kazakh sought to speak their native language, our language would have long found a place in accordance with its constitutional status," the president said.
Nazarbayev said the official language will prevail in all spheres of life by 2025 and will be the language of universal communication.