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.