Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in an expanded format
November 23, 2023
Minsk, Belarus
The head of state took part in the session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which took place in Minsk. The summit, chaired by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, was also attended by the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, welcoming the session participants, noted the high level of his preparation and expressed gratitude to the Belarusian side and personally to Alexander Lukashenko.
The head of our state stated that from January 1, 2024, the chairmanship of the CSTO passes to the Republic of Kazakhstan. He emphasized that in this capacity our country is ready to make its contribution to the further strengthening of the collective security system on the basis of the Organization. In this regard, the President proposed a number of priority areas on which it is necessary to focus the Organization’s activities during the chairmanship of Kazakhstan.
– First. Cooperation of the CSTO with interested countries and international organizations in the field of security. We propose to focus on maintaining the established level of interaction with the United Nations and its structures. This work is being carried out on the basis of the Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the secretariats of the CSTO and the UN dated March 18, 2010. We support further deepening of cooperation with the CIS and the SCO. Specific steps for this are defined in “Practical measures to strengthen cooperation of the CSTO with the CIS and the SCO,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.
The second important area of work was proposed interaction on issues of military cooperation. According to the leader of Kazakhstan, the regulatory framework for ensuring the rapid deployment of the CSTO Collective Forces needs to be improved.
“This applies to the unhindered and non-stop transit of contingents, military aviation flights and other aspects. It is also necessary to continue the development of the system of training military personnel and the military-scientific potential of the CSTO member states. It is proposed to place special emphasis on unlocking the peacekeeping potential of the Organization. A key role in this is played by the activities of the Special Representative of the CSTO Secretary General on peacekeeping issues, said the Head of State.
Another priority in the speech was the development of cooperation to counter international terrorism and extremism. As Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, close attention will be paid to the anti-terrorist component of the collective security system.
According to him, the Organization must also combat illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He also considers the fight against illicit arms trafficking and organized transnational crime, deepening cooperation on preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergency situations, and combating crimes in the field of information technology to be significant areas of work.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that the identified priorities of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship will be sent to the CSTO member states in the very near future. He expressed confidence that through the joint efforts of the Organization’s member states, comprehensive work will be continued to strengthen and further develop the collective security system.
Following the session, a number of documents were adopted.