Kazakh President Signs Law Granting Special Status to Turkestan

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, has enacted the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan granting special status to Turkestan city.

The law gives the city of Turkestan a special status as a spiritual, historic and cultural and tourist center as well as architectural heritage of the country, The Caspian Post reports citing Kazinform.

The document aims to address the efficiency in managing, conserving and ensuring the wholeness of historic and cultural monuments as well as historic and cultural heritage sites of the city. It also focuses on planning and managing archeological and scientific-restoration works at sites within the territory of the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and its areas under protection.

The document also seeks to preserve, promote and revive the historic and cultural heritage and develop national craftsmanship as well as to ensure scientific support for the decisions made regarding the protection and use of the heritage sites of the city.

Under the law, an archaeological monuments reserve is set to be created in the city.

The text of the law is to be published in the press.