Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: CSTO has become an effective mechanism for international cooperation

“Over the years, our Organization has established itself as an effective mechanism for multilateral cooperation with a serious potential for further development,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said in his speech at the CSTO heads of state meeting dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the CSTO.
“With the establishment of the CSTO, a robust collective security system was created in the vast Eurasian space. Its main objectives are to strengthen peace and stability, international and regional security and to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of its Member States,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized, drawing attention to the Afghanistan situation.
“I believe that the CSTO must take into account all potential threats and pay even greater attention to ensuring the security of Central Asia’s southern borders,” said the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, naming the development of the CSTO’s peacekeeping capabilities as an unconditional priority in its development.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recalled that Kazakhstan had initiated the creation of the position of special representative of the CSTO Secretary General for the development of peacekeeping. “Thus, all the necessary instruments are in place, and, in our opinion, we must already set the goal of involving the CSTO in the peacekeeping activities of the United Nations. This step will strengthen CSTO’s legal standing and ensure the Organization’s practical participation in international peacekeeping operations,” said the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.