Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the expanded meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council
November 28, 2024
A regular session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization was held in Astana under the chairmanship of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The summit was attended by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.The session was also attended by Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States Sergei Lebedev and Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming. Opening the session, the Head of our state expressed gratitude to those present for participating in the event.
– Today, the CSTO acts as an effective and in-demand international structure aimed at ensuring collective security. Over the years of its development, member states have accumulated extensive experience of interaction on a wide range of issues. An extensive regulatory framework has been formed. The necessary mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats have been established. Collective security forces and means have been created and are functioning. Constructive cooperation has been established with a number of authoritative international and regional organizations, – noted Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
He reported that the presidents exchanged views on current issues of international and regional security at a narrow-format meeting, and also discussed the main results of the CSTO activities this year under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan.
– The results of the meeting once again confirmed our firm readiness to act together to prevent challenges and threats to collective security. During the discussion, we compared positions on current issues on the international agenda. Our common assessments of the current situation and vision for the further development of the CSTO are reflected in the Declaration of the Collective Security Council, developed on the initiative of Kazakhstan. Special attention was paid to the celebration of a significant event – the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The heroism of veterans, the labor feat of home front workers will forever remain in our memory. They are an inexhaustible source of immense pride and respect for all of us. On the eve of this significant date, we consider it important to adopt the Statement of the CSTO Collective Security Council, as well as to approve the Action Plan for celebrating the anniversary, – said the Head of our state.
As Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, within the framework of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the CSTO, about 60 events were held in the statutory areas of cooperation. Together with partners, work was carried out to promote agreed approaches in the international arena.
– General assessments of the CSTO member states formed the basis of a series of political documents adopted this year. Among them are statements on international information security, cooperation in space, the situation in the Middle East, as well as in connection with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. Close attention was paid throughout the year to the combat training of the forces and means of the collective security system. Today we will sign two protocols to international agreements on the status of the CSTO forces and means and the transportation of military contingents. Work continues to improve the skills and readiness of the peacekeeping contingents of the CSTO countries. In September-October, command and staff exercises with the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces “Indestructible Brotherhood-2024” and special CSTO exercises “Rock-2024” were held in Kazakhstan. Joint actions were worked out in conducting complex emergency rescue operations at high-risk facilities, – the President of Kazakhstan said.
The head of state emphasized that special attention was paid to countering current challenges and threats during the year. – Various stages of special operations “Mercenary”, “Channel”, “Illegal” and “PROXY” were simultaneously carried out on the territory of Kazakhstan and a number of other CSTO countries. The activities are aimed at preventing threats associated with international terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal migration and challenges in the information environment. On our initiative, this year, for the first time, consultations were held on combating the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition and organized transnational crime. The issue of creating a specialized working group within the CSTO is being worked out. Under the coordination of the Kazakh chairmanship, work on the CSTO Targeted Interstate Program to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border was completed. The document has been in development since 2013. Today, we will sign this important decision aimed at strengthening the southern borders of the Organization, the President noted. According to him, the priorities of the Kazakh chairmanship in the CSTO are being systematically and progressively implemented. With the support of partners, active work will be continued on their further promotion within the CSTO.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the Secretary General, the Permanent Council and the working bodies of the CSTO for the great work done. During the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in an expanded format, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov spoke.
In conclusion, the Head of our state congratulated Sadyr Japarov on the decision to transfer the CSTO chairmanship to the Kyrgyz Republic from January 1, 2025, and wished the Kyrgyz side success in this important mission.
Following the meeting, the heads of state adopted the Declaration of the Collective Security Council and signed a number of documents. The CSTO Targeted Interstate Program for Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border was approved. The Presidents also adopted a Statement on the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and approved a Plan of Events to celebrate this date in 2025. The documents adopted in Astana are aimed at further comprehensive development of the Organization and the collective security system in the interests of all its members.