Tokaev called on the Central Asian countries to jointly resist the external forces that want to divide them

President of Kazakhstan Kasim-Jomart Tokaev received the secretaries of the security councils of the Central Asian countries.

The head of state noted that most of the modern challenges and threats are of a cross-border nature, so combating them requires joint efforts. "In general, there are no problems in our countries that we could not find a mutually acceptable solution and there should not be," he said.

The first meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the Central Asian countries is expected to become an effective platform for unifying efforts on external and internal threats, their prevention, as well as the development of necessary response measures.

The President of Kazakhstan, Kasim-Jomart Tokaev, said this at the meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the Central Asian countries.

The head of state noted that most of the modern challenges and threats are of a cross-border nature, therefore fighting against them requires joint efforts.

- First of all, we are talking about the fight against international extremism and terrorism, the illegal circulation of narcotic substances, arms trade. In this regard, Afghanistan should be in the center of our common attention. Complex multidirectional processes are taking place in this country. It should be recognized that there are certain signs of stabilization and recovery of the economic situation in this country. On the other hand, high risks related to the activities of international terrorist organizations remain, as evidenced by the bloody terrorist attack in the Moscow region. In our opinion, one of the strategic tasks at the current stage is to actively involve Afghanistan in regional relations. And here a lot depends on the agreed position of our countries. We consider it urgent to create a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in our country," Tokaev said, citing the press service of the Kazakh leader.

The President of Kazakhstan noted that the meeting is an important stage of preparation for the sixth consultative meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries, which will be held in Astana on August 9.

- We developed the strategy for the development of regional cooperation "Central Asia - 2040". The priorities of regional rapprochement are, first of all, aimed at expanding the five-way cooperation and strengthening the international subjectivity of Central Asia. I am sure that the adoption of this document during the summit in Astana will be of conceptual importance for the region. The peculiarity of the relations between our countries is confirmed in the agreement on friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation for the development of Central Asia in the 21st century. This will take the strategic partnership to the next level. I think that one of the main results of the summit in Astana could be the completion of the procedure for signing the historic Treaty and its entry into force. Institutional improvement of our tripartite format remains urgent," said the head of Kazakhstan.

In addition, Tokaev called on the countries of the region to oppose each other and resist the external forces that seek to divide them.

"I want to assure you that we categorically reject such approaches and attempts. In general, there are no problems in our countries that we could not find a mutually acceptable solution, and there should not be. I am sure that only the combination of joint efforts and mutual assistance will pave the way for the prosperity of our brotherly nations," he said.

Tokaev also expressed confidence that the results of the meeting will serve to strengthen cooperation in the field of security between Central Asian countries.