persons. They are nominated based on the proposals of regional public associations and decisions of other republic ethno-cultural public associations and are subject to approval by the Head of State. In the regions, nomination occurs by the decision of the supreme bodies of ethnic and cultural associations. APK brings together over 800 ethnic and cultural associations, which ensure preservation and development of cultural, linguistic autonomy and identity of ethnic groups of Kazakhstan. Representation and realisation of political interests of the Kazakhstani ethnic groups is carried out at all levels of the political system of the country. Decisions of the APK’s supreme body – annual session – are subject to the approval by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and shall be subject to mandatory review by the public authorities. On the eve of the annual session, the heads of central executive bodies meet with APK members to discuss practical issues of inter-ethnic relations. In between the sessions, the State Secretary Minister for Foreign Affairs chairs the work of a permanent working body – the Council of the APK; this gives the Council decisions a powerful state status. Assembly’s recommendations were taken into account on such fundamental issues as the adoption of a new Constitution in 1995; strategies: the formation and development of Kazakhstan as a sovereign state; the formation of the national consensus; development of the “Kazakhstan – 2030”; APK until 2011; the formation of civic identity; the constitutional reform of 2007; Law “On the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan”. The guaranteed parliamentary representation is ensured by 9 Majilis deputies elected at the annual session of the Assembly, representing a set of interests of all the country’s ethnic groups. The right for the legislative initiative causes representation in the Majilis, which is being realised right here. Representation on the basis of political parties: out of 106 Majilis deputies – 15 deputies are elected from party lists and belong to ethnic groups; out of 47 senators – 9 [senators belong to the representatives of ethnic groups]. When appointing fifteen deputies of the Senate, the President takes into account representation of ethnic and cultural interests. Deputies provide examination of bills concerning the rights of ethnic groups. In places of compact residence, the appointment of representatives of ethnic groups in decision-making positions constitutes the mechanism for ensuring ethnic balance of interests. In the Uygur district of Almaty region, 52.0% of civil servants are Kazakhs, and 48.0% are Uighurs. The managing team of the regional government bodies consists of 48.3% Kazakhs and 51.7% Uighurs. (Out of 94 000 civil servants, 78 000 civil servants are Kazakhs, and the rest are ethnic groups). A new institution has been implemented since 2008 – 2 Deputy Chairmen of the Assembly of the republic ethno-cultural associations, who are subject to