President Tokayev, UN Secretary-General António Guterres hold talks
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
During the meeting, the Head of State expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General António Guterres for accepting the invitation to visit Astana to attend the SCO summit. Tokayev noted that the visit of António Guterres is a good opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN.
Your visit to Astana and participation in the SCO summit is a striking symbol of close cooperation between Kazakhstan and the UN, reflecting our engagement in the UN activity. Kazakhstan and I myself fully back the UN activity in the present uneasy circumstances, said the Kazakh President.
For his part, António Guterres stated that he considers his visit as a manifestation of solidarity and support the UN provides to Kazakhstan and its SCO presidency.
Kazakhstan is a vivid example of consistent struggle for peace. Your country has always been a ‘bridge-builder,’ messenger of peace, unification mediator, including in very difficult circumstances. Astana is the center of many peace-building initiatives, including the Astana process on Syria. Astana has always been a platform for peace, Kazakhstan has enormous moral standing. Your country is the leader in nuclear disarmament, showing its commitment to peace in many other spheres, said the UN Secretary-General.
Guterres also hailed the Astana’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
He expressed his strong support for the ongoing large-scale political and economic reforms in Kazakhstan as well as stressed the key role the country plays in ensuring global security and peace.
During the meeting, special attention was attached to strengthening regional cooperation between the Central Asian countries. The UN Secretary-General commended the economic integration processes in the region and pointed to its tremendous potential in addressing global issues.
In addition, the promising areas of Kazakhstan-UN multifaceted cooperation as well as the ongoing issues of international agenda were discussed.
