President Tokayev: CIS’ authority in international arena grows
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is paying a working visit to Moscow, has addressed the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council held behind the closed doors, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.
The President of Kazakhstan thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for a traditional warm welcome and fruitful work of Russia during its presidency in the CIS. The Head of State noted that further strengthening of the CIS potential as an authoritative international organization which was established on the basis of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, remains an unconditional priority for Kazakhstan.
“The Commonwealth of Independent States can and should be given credit for preventing the development of the situation in the post-Soviet space according to the worst scenario, as happened, for example, in the Balkans in the 90s of the last century. In my opinion, we must protect our Commonwealth, and for these purposes, take the most effective measures to strengthen mutual trust, refrain from public critical attacks at the level of heads of state, show restraint and prudence,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
In his words, today’s meeting is called to give a new impetus to the CIS’ activity amid the geopolitical instability and rapidly changing international situation.
“Kazakhstan welcomes the mutual steps of Azerbaijan and Armenia aimed at the conclusion of a peace treaty. We also note with satisfaction the significant progress in completing the legal registration of certain sections of interstate borders in the Central Asian region,” the Kazakh President said.
He emphasized that the CIS had gained a wide international recognition as an effective regional organization contributing to the global cooperation and development processes.
“The Commonwealth has a well-developed system contacts and ties with the various structures of the UN as well as other numerous international and regional organizations. The CIS’ authority in the international arena grows. Last year, the CIS observer and partner statuses were introduced, which demonstrated our organization’s openness and maturity. To continue this institutional work, I propose to consider the issue of establishing the CIS+ format. This platform will become a basis for expanding the regional ties of the Commonwealth,” the President said.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenida Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also took floor at the event.
