Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the anniversary session of the Collective Security Council of the Heads of State of the CSTO, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Organization.
Along with the leader of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, as well as CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas took part in the anniversary meeting.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Vladimir Putin for organizing the anniversary session.
As the President of Kazakhstan noted, over the 30-year period, the CSTO has established itself as an effective mechanism for multilateral cooperation with serious potential for further development.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that the main tasks of the CSTO are to strengthen peace and stability, international and regional security, protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the member states. He noted the successful functioning of the permanent working bodies of the CSTO, various formats of close cooperation, as well as the strengthening of the security, law enforcement and peacekeeping potential.
Particular attention in the speech of the Head of State was paid to the issues of countering international terrorism and extremism, drug and arms trafficking, illegal migration, including in the context of the development of the situation in Afghanistan.
"The situation in this country, as well as the unrelenting activity of armed groups on the territory of Afghanistan, continues to threaten the security and stability of our states. I believe that the CSTO must take into account all potential threats and pay even more attention to ensuring the security of the southern borders of Central Asia," the President is sure Kazakhstan.
Another urgent task Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev called the strengthening of the potential of the CSTO peacekeeping forces.
"In our opinion, it is already necessary to set the task of connecting the CSTO to the UN peacekeeping activities. This step will strengthen the legal personality of the CSTO, ensure the practice of the Organization's participation in international peacekeeping operations," the Head of State said.
Following the meeting, the leaders of the CSTO member states adopted the anniversary Statement of the Collective Security Council.
By the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
