Kazakhstan proposes to involve CSTO in UN peacekeeping missions

Moscow, May 16 (EFE).- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday proposed that the post-Soviet, Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization defense alliance be involved in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

“All the necessary mechanisms have been created, and in our opinion, it is necessary to set ourselves the task of involving the CSTO in the peacekeeping activities of the UN,” he said during the organization’s summit in Moscow.

The Kazakh president pointed out that “in the short and medium-term, without a doubt, the undoubted priority lies in the development of the potential of the CSTO peacekeepers,” indicating that “active work is being done in this direction.”

“The CSTO peacekeepers are perfected every year, plans for their supply with weapons and modern equipment are studied,” he added, recalling that at the initiative of Kazakhstan, the post-Soviet organization created the figure of special representative of the secretary-general for the development of peacekeeping forces.

According to the Kazakh president, “this step will strengthen the legitimacy of the CSTO and guarantee the possibility of the organization’s participation in international peace operations.”

CSTO peacekeepers currently number about 3,800 troops.

The alliance, made up of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Collective Security agreement and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the CSTO. EFE

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