Kazakhstan's Tokayev: Organization of Turkic States will not become a military alliance

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit that the body is not a military alliance and should not become one in the future. He called this Kazakhstan's position. Tokayev also proposed defining the organization's main areas of work. He noted that there are now 60 areas of work and that some functions overlap.

Tokayev recalled that he had made the same statement on the organization's military status in May, at a high-level meeting in Turkestan. He stressed that the institutional structure should be strengthened first. He said violating treaties signed at the highest level is unacceptable but did not specify which violations he meant. He also reiterated the need to create a Council of Permanent Representatives under the organization.

Concluding his speech with a Kazakh proverb, Tokayev called for joint efforts toward common goals. He thanked Azerbaijan, which has chaired the organization since last year, for its invaluable contribution to raising its authority. He said the chairmanship is passing to Turkey. He thanked Kubanychbek Omuraliev for his work as secretary general and wished success to the new secretary general, Mirvokhid Azimov.