Kazakhstan ready to further strengthen political cooperation in CSTO

Kazakhstan is ready to further strengthen political cooperation within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said as he met with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas in Nur Sultan on 10 March, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told BelTA.

"Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a number of proposals on the development of the CSTO and noted the readiness of Kazakhstan to further strengthen political cooperation within the framework of the CSTO and build up its potential," the spokesman said.

Stanislav Zas informed the Kazakhstan president about the CSTO status and development prospects. A wide range of issues were addressed in the key areas of CSTO's activities . Stanislav Zas also reported on the work being carried out by the CSTO Secretariat on the implementation of the initiative of the Kazakhstan president to establish the institute of a special representative of the CSTO secretary general for peacekeeping.

On 10 March, the CSTO secretary general also met with Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tleuberdi of Kazakhstan. The parties discussed the military and political situation in the Central Asian region of collective security and the status of the action plan to implement the decisions of the December 2020 session of the CSTO Collective Security Council and the priorities proposed by the 2021 Tajikistan presidency.

The CSTO secretary general informed Mukhtar Tleuberdi about a draft plan of events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the CSTO (to be celebrated in May 2022). The document has been okayed by the CSTO Permanent Council and submitted for domestic coordination.

"Mukhtar Tleuberdi and Stanislav Zas also exchanged views on the formation of a list of possible contenders for the CSTO observer and CSTO partner status. To this end, consultations will be held in early April between the deputy foreign ministers of the CSTO member states who oversee security issues in the Eurasian and Euro-Atlantic zones," the spokesman added.