The Kazakhstan President took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS Member States
October 13, 2023
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who arrived on a working visit to Bishkek, took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The head of our state thanked Sadyr Japarov for the warm welcome and fruitful work of Kyrgyzstan during its chairmanship in the CIS.
The leader of Kazakhstan called the establishment of Partner and Observer statuses in the CIS a landmark event of today’s meeting, which indicates the maturity of the Organization and marks its transition to a qualitatively new stage of development.
Noting the growing geopolitical contradictions, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out to increased volatility in the global economy.
“Kazakhstan, in principle, opposes the use of economic sanctions, which have the most disastrous negative impact on global trade and the well-being of states,” the President said.
The head of state also spoke about the current situation in the Middle East.
– Kazakhstan strongly opposes the use of terrorist methods to solve pressing international problems. You cannot resort to violence against civilians or resort to terrorist acts to implement tasks that have not been resolved for decades. This cannot be justified in any way,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
He emphasized that Kazakhstan stands for the establishment of the principle of justice in international relations, for their democratization, taking into account the legal and sovereign rights of all members of the international community.
Against the background of the current stagnation in the UN Security Council, the leader of Kazakhstan considers it possible and even necessary to strengthen the role of the UN General Assembly as the most representative body of this universal organization.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on the meeting participants to continue active interaction in the CIS format to overcome emerging challenges and search for new areas to strengthen productive cooperation.
In his opinion, special attention should be paid to eliminating trade barriers, creating favorable tariff conditions and simplifying administrative procedures.
Along with this, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out the importance of developing transport corridors in the Commonwealth space.
“We need to take advantage of our unique geographical advantages and connect global markets, turning our region into the largest transport and logistics hub. In the context of the formation of a new economic geography of the world and the growth of trade flows, this direction is acquiring strategic importance. Today, about 80% of land transit traffic between Europe and Asia passes through Kazakhstan. We pay great attention to the further development of the Trans-Caspian transport route, the North-South corridor, as well as the full use of the capabilities of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway. Kazakhstan aims to accelerate the implementation of the Dostyk-Moyynty, Bakhty-Ayagoz, Darbaza-Maktaaral railway projects,” said the Head of State.
Separately, the President focused on the importance of measures to modernize existing infrastructure, simplify administrative procedures and introduce integrated logistics solutions, including digital ones, to strengthen the transit potential of countries.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed developing a Concept for connecting the main transport arteries passing through the territories of the CIS member states. In his opinion, this document will become a new transit and logistics code of the Eurasian space, taking into account the interests of the Commonwealth countries.
Ensuring food security was also named a priority in the speech.
According to the President, global climate change poses serious risks to the sustainable progress of countries.
He further informed about the key projects of our country in this area.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that without consolidating joint efforts, it is impossible to overcome the consequences of environmental disasters in the Eurasian space. He considers it extremely important to increase constructive interaction in this area within the CIS.
Particular attention in the speech was paid to issues of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The leader of Kazakhstan emphasized the special role of the Russian language in the multifaceted cooperation between the CIS countries.
The President proposed establishing an annual Forum of Commonwealth Volunteers and giving it the status of a permanent CIS platform.
At the end of his speech, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev supported the decision to chair the Russian Federation in the CIS in 2024 and hold the next summit in Moscow next fall. He welcomed the initiative of Kyrgyzstan to award the President of Uzbekistan with the CIS Badge of Honor.
The meeting was also attended by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev.