Kazakhstan can defend itself against foreign aggressors: Minister of Defense

Photo ©Turar Kazangapov

No state is a potential adversary for Kazakhstan, but the country can resort to use of military force to repel aggression and defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Serik Akhmetov wrote in his blog, Tengrinews reports. He was answering a question if Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry was capable of guaranteeing protection of Kazakhstan's integrity.

First of all Akhmetov emphasized that Kazakhstan advocated for creation of a system of international relations that would minimizing the role of military power and instead rely on political, diplomatic and legal means in solving disputes between countries.

"There is not a single country that Kazakhstan considers its potential opponent. The main objectives of the defense policy of Kazakhstan are to strengthen international and regional security, political stability inside the country, prevent military conflicts and maintain its armed forces ready to protect Kazakhstan and its allies," the minister wrote.

But he once again noted that political, diplomatic, legal, economic, humanitarian, advocacy and other non-military measures were preferred ways of achieving the goals.

No state is a potential adversary for Kazakhstan, but the country can resort to use of military force to repel aggression and defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Serik Akhmetov wrote in his blog, Tengrinews reports. He was answering a question if Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry was capable of guaranteeing protection of Kazakhstan's integrity.

First of all Akhmetov emphasized that Kazakhstan advocated for creation of a system of international relations that would minimizing the role of military power and instead rely on political, diplomatic and legal means in solving disputes between countries.

"There is not a single country that Kazakhstan considers its potential opponent. The main objectives of the defense policy of Kazakhstan are to strengthen international and regional security, political stability inside the country, prevent military conflicts and maintain its armed forces ready to protect Kazakhstan and its allies," the minister wrote.

But he once again noted that political, diplomatic, legal, economic, humanitarian, advocacy and other non-military measures were preferred ways of achieving the goals.

Akhmetov also noted that in case of a military conflict Kazakhstan would seek to use a collective security framework and coalition forces. In this case the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) would be viewed as the primary tool for collective response. The current members of the organization are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian, and Tajikistan. The goals of the CSTO correspond to those of Kazakhstan, namely, strengthening international and regional security and stability based on the premises of sovereignty and territorial integrity of each member-state, Akhmetov said, adding that the CSTO also prioritized political means over military ones.

The minister reminded that to ensure effective protection of airspace and enable joint use of air defense forces, Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement establishing the Integrated Regional Air Defense System. This framework is part of a larger integrated air defense system of CIS countries (post-Soviet space).

"Use of international organizations for strengthening of international and regional security, prevention and suppression of military conflicts is the pillar of Kazakhstan's defense policies," Akhmetov concluded.

Writing by Dinara Urazova, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina

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