DUSHANBE – The presidents of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) Council member states met in Dushanbe Sept.15 to discuss regional security, organisational operations and the results of exercises of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces.
The heads of state of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation member states meet in Dushanbe.
The meeting was attended by the presidents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, as well as CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha and heads of defence and foreign ministries of the member states.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the gathering that among the main issues on the organisation’s agenda are threats from international terrorist and extremist organisations.
“Unfortunately, we must honestly admit that citizens of the CSTO member states join radical groups and participate in their illegal activities in the Middle East and Afghanistan. This fact requires effective measures from our side,” Nazarbayev stressed.
Nazarbayev emphasised the need to provide economic support to Tajikistan, which is located in the foreground of the fight against international terrorism. This year alone, he said, Kazakhstan has sent $2.7 million in food and construction materials to Tajikistan.
In addition, the President drew the attention of the participants to the situation in Afghanistan.
“Renewal of the military activities in the northern part of Afghanistan raises concerns. In order to adequately respond to the risks and challenges coming from the Afghan territory, it is necessary to increase joint efforts in the framework of the CSTO, both on a bilateral basis and in the framework of other international organisations. Kazakhstan continues to provide technical and humanitarian assistance to Kabul. We annually deliver food, fuel, medicine, as well as educate young Afghans in Kazakhstan’s leading universities,” he said.
Nazarbayev noted that taking into account the difficult situation in the region, Kazakhstan supports measures to improve the combat capability of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces.
“We think it is necessary to hold regular exercises, including unexpected inspections,” Nazarbayev said.
Among the session’s draft decisions, the Kazakh President highlighted an agreement on cooperation in the field of transportation and other military formations, which regulates the movement of troops, weapons and equipment on the territories of the CSTO member states.
In conclusion, Nazarbayev assured the participants that Kazakhstan is meeting all of its obligations within the CSTO as well as providing humanitarian assistance to the allied countries.
