Minsk, Belarus – In a recent address at the Council of Heads of State of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Minsk, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation in the Middle East, particularly the events surrounding the Gaza Strip. President Tokayev underscored the divisive impact of these events on the global community, urging collective action to prevent further escalation, TuraNews.kz reports.
Expressing deep concern over the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, President Tokayev highlighted the humanitarian toll on civilian populations, including the tragic loss of innocent lives, especially among children. “It is impossible to endure this,” he remarked, calling for a concerted effort to prevent the spread of war to other countries and continents.
President Tokayev welcomed the recent agreement on a humanitarian pause in the Gaza conflict and stressed the need for the United Nations to play a pivotal role in ensuring the Palestinians’ right to establish a full-fledged state. He advocated for a solution based on the ‘two states for two peoples’ formula under the auspices of the UN.
Turning his attention to the challenging situation in Afghanistan, President Tokayev called on the international community to continue providing assistance to the Afghan people. Emphasizing the CSTO’s commitment to progressive and balanced development, considering the national interests of its member states, Tokayev noted the tense situation in the Eurasian continent and the CSTO region.
Sharing the news that Kazakhstan will assume the CSTO term presidency from January 1, 2024, President Tokayev outlined several priorities for their term. He affirmed that the CSTO would focus on enhancing cooperation with relevant countries and international organizations in the realm of security. President Tokayev’s remarks underscored Kazakhstan’s commitment to addressing pressing regional and global challenges through diplomatic collaboration and multilateral efforts.
