President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States, where he stated that the creation of the CIS helped avoid a total conflict in the post-Soviet space, reports infohub.kz.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, the head of state expressed gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the thoroughly thought-out organization of the summit and traditional warm hospitality.
"Kazakhstan highly appreciates the results of Turkmenistan's chairmanship and its significant contribution to advancing the common CIS agenda. In this regard, I would like to express to you, dear colleague, gratitude for such highly professional work. The current summit is taking place in the year of the 35th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States. As you know, Kazakhstan was at the origins of the Organization's founding. The signing of the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1991 became a truly fateful moment in the history of our states. The creation of the CIS helped avoid a total conflict in the so-called post-Soviet space. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the consolidating mission of the CIS was especially evident during the period when our countries gained independence. In the context of intensifying centrifugal processes, we preserved historical ties and built a fundamentally new format of interstate interaction. Over the years, the Commonwealth has established itself as an effective multilateral mechanism for strengthening trust and cooperation and has gained wide recognition in the world," noted Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The President emphasized that the main asset of the CIS is the friendship of our peoples, our common cultural and spiritual heritage.
"We are witnessing the formation of a new architecture of international relations, the destruction of the system of global economic ties, intensifying technological competition, and growing uncertainty and unpredictability. Against this backdrop, direct and trusting dialogue, which allows finding coordinated solutions taking into account the interests of each state, is becoming critically important. I am convinced that this explains the enduring relevance of the Commonwealth. In this anniversary year, I propose turning to the principles laid down in the Declaration, reflecting on the path traveled, and defining tasks for the future. In November, an international conference dedicated to the 35th anniversary of this historic document will be held in Almaty under the auspices of the KISI. We invite scholars, legal experts, historians, and experts from CIS states to take an active part in the conference," he said.