16 September 2015 | 22:19

Nazarbayev concerned about increased militant activity in Northern Afghanistan

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan. ©Turar Kazangapov

Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, has taken part in CSTO’s Collective Security Council session in Tajikistan, Tengrinews reports citing the press service of Akorda.

The highlight of the meeting was a call to strengthen the organization's military power and its capacity to respond to security threats. The threat posed by the Islamic State was also high on the summit's agenda.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance, acting as counterpart to the NATO alliance. Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Armenia and Tajikistan are its member. Afghanistan and Serbia hold the observer status. The organization has a joint Rapid Reaction Force that it regularly trains to improve is peacekeeping capacity.

Besides the Kazakh president the event was attended by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha, as well as by heads of defense and foreign ministries of the member countries.

During the session, the participants discussed strengthening the region's collective security system, increasing the organization’s efficiency and results of the recent military drills of the Collective Rapid Reaction Force.

In his speech, Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that countering threats posed by international terrorist and extremist organizations was a priority for the CSTO. “Unfortunately, we have to admit that some citizens of the CSTO member states join radical groups, go to the hotspots of the Middle East and Afghanistan to participate in illegal activities. This requires effective counteractive measures on our side,” Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

In this context, Nazarbayev drew participants’ attention to the situation in Afghanistan. “Particular concerns are caused by the increased militant activity in northern Afghanistan. To adequately respond to the risks and challenges coming from the Afghan territory, it is necessary to step up our joint efforts in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, both bilaterally and in the framework of other international organizations. Kazakhstan continues to provide technical and humanitarian aid to Kabul, annually delivering food, fuel, medicine, and also educating young Afghans in Kazakhstan's leading universities,” said the president.

The Kazakh leader also emphasized that despite the difficulties in the global economy it was necessary to continue providing economic support to Tajikistan, located in the forefront of the fight against international terrorism. Tajikistan is the only member of the CSTO that borders on Afghanistan. And it is very important for the organization to support stability of the two countries to maintain security in the region. This year alone Kazakhstan’s aid to the brotherly neighboring country of Tajikistan in the form of food and construction materials amounted to $2.7 million, Nazarbayev said.

The President also noted that, given the difficult situation in the region, Kazakhstan supported the idea of increasing the fighting capacity of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF). "Kazakhstan supports the need to increase the military and service training of CRRF’s special formations. We consider it necessary to hold regular trainings and unannounced inspections," Nursultan Nazarbayev suggested.

But he also emphasized the need to clarify the regulations governing movement of military troops, weapons, and equipment on the territories of the CSTO member states. He specifically highlighted the regulations among the agreements considered by the participants of the meeting.

The summit resulted in signing of several documents and adoption of a joint statement. The member-countries agreed that imposure of sanctions in circumvention of the UN was unacceptable, reiterated their support to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and welcomed the recent settlement of the Iranian nuclear program issue.

In conclusion, Nursultan Nazarbayev assured the participants of Kazakhstan’s adherence to its obligations in the framework of the CSTO and promised to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance to the allied countries.

By Indira Urazova, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina

terrorism security Nursultan Nazarbayev news Kazakhstan CSTO Afghanistan