Astana, Kazakhstan, April 14. To date, as many
as 158 Kazakhstani citizens have been serving in peacekeeping
forces in Africa and the Middle East, and we plan to participate in
other UN missions in the future, said President of Kazakhstan
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the servicemen of the
National Peacekeeping Contingent successfully serving in the
National Peacekeeping Forces, Trend reports.
In his speech, Tokayev emphasized that the peacekeepers had
performed the responsible mission assigned to Kazakhstan at a high
level.
“To be a peacekeeper means to be an envoy of peace. This is a
great honor and a high responsibility. The task that only truly
brave warriors can accomplish. I express my sincere gratitude to
all of you. You know that the current situation in the world is
very complicated. Various conflicts are taking place.
Unfortunately, not everything can be resolved through negotiations.
In such conditions, the role of peacekeeping forces becomes
especially important. Kazakhstan is a peaceful country. We support
all initiatives aimed at ensuring global stability,” said the
Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Kazakhstan.
The President reminded that since 2014, the armed forces of
Kazakhstan have participated in United Nations peacekeeping
operations.
“Eight of our citizens have participated in several missions as
military observers and staff officers. About 700 military personnel
have been involved in special UN operations,” said the President of
Kazakhstan.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that not all countries manage to
become participants in peacekeeping forces. He pointed out that
this opportunity allowed Kazakhstan’s army to take another
historical step last year.
“For the first time, Kazakhstan independently carried out
peacekeeping missions. Thanks to the operation on the Golan
Heights, our interaction with the UN has reached a qualitatively
new level. Kazakhstan has become one of the countries with a
full-fledged peacekeeping contingent. We are one of the countries
in Central Asia with extensive experience in this field,” he
said.
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Kazakhstan noted that the task
of preparing military personnel to carry out important missions
deserves special attention. According to him, within a short
period, quality work was done to train soldiers and equip them with
gear that meets international standards.
“This is a sign of readiness, showing that the Kazakh army is
capable of performing the most complex tasks. At the critical
moment of the Syrian conflict, you acted pragmatically and
decisively, thus confirming the high level of professionalism of
the Kazakh army. At that time, the entire world community witnessed
the high spirit and courage of the Kazakh soldier. You served in
hot spots, showed great courage, and gained invaluable experience.
Now, it is important to pass on your knowledge to other military
personnel. It is crucial to integrate the new skills gained from
peacekeeping missions into the national military training system,”
said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The Kazakh leader emphasized that the state is making every
effort to make Kazakhstan a territory of comfortable and safe
living.
“Law and Order, patriotism, and responsibility are fundamental
values not only for those in uniform but for all our citizens. It
is important that these constructive principles are deeply rooted
in society on the path to building a Just, Safe, and Strong
Kazakhstan,” the President concluded.
In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked the meeting
participants for their impeccable fulfillment of their military
duty and expressed gratitude to their families and loved ones for
their support. The President of Kazakhstan then awarded state
honors to the military personnel for exemplary service, courage,
and selflessness displayed during the UN peacekeeping mission on
the Golan Heights.