CSTO delivers speech on completion of peacekeeping operation in  Kazakhstan 

ArmInfo. On January 13, this year, in Almaty, a ceremony was held to complete a CSTO peacekeeping operation on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the CSTO  official website reports.

Contingents of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces marched in  celebration. Stanislav Zas, the Collective Security Treaty  Organization Secretary General, addressed the operation participants.

"Dear Comrades, combat friends! Peacekeepers!

The CSTO peacekeeping operation, conducted on the territory of the  Republic of Kazakhstan at the request of the country's leadership, is  gradually coming to the end.

The Collective Peacekeeping Forces of the Collective Security Treaty  Organization, created by a unanimous decision of the CSTO Collective  Security Council, have honorably accomplished the tasks assigned to  them.

In these days you had a simple and important goal: to assist the  brotherly country in ensuring security, stability, protection of  sovereignty and territorial integrity.

And you have fulfilled this mission with honor!!!

The peacekeeping operation in the Republic of Kazakhstan was the  first real application of the CSTO Collective Forces, where your  professionalism and concerted actions clearly demonstrated that our  nations were ready in any circumstances, shoulder to shoulder, in a  single combat formation, to protect the common security space. You  have demonstrated that the CSTO defense potential was highly  effective and really working.

Today, thanks to the collective coordinated actions of CSTO  peacekeepers, the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of the  Republic of Kazakhstan, the situation in the country has stabilized.   During the operation, we have gained invaluable experience in close  cooperation between the peacekeeping contingents of the  Organization's member States in countering terrorism and destructive  forces within the state.

In assessing the activities of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping  Forces, we cannot fail to note the clear and well-coordinated actions  of the military transport aviation of the Russian Federation's  Aerospace Forces.  Russian Air Force aircraft flew more than 2,000  peacekeepers and about 250 pieces of equipment almost non-stop to the  area of operation. More than 108 flights were carried out.

For the Republic of Kazakhstan, it was fundamentally important not  only militarily but also, first and foremost, morally, to support its  CSTO allies, which was promptly provided. Within hours after the  decision of the Collective Security Council to provide assistance,  the first planes with contingents of the Collective Peacekeeping  Forces had already departed for the Republic of Kazakhstan.  Contrary  to the negative assessments of CSTO activities imposed by some of our  enemies, our Organization has shown its relevance and effectiveness,  its ability to act quickly, decisively and effectively, without  delay.

Each of our allies has contributed to the fulfillment of our tasks as  part of the CSTO military grouping, which includes and successfully  operates professionally trained peacekeeping contingents of all  member States without exception. Your skills have been honed over the  years in joint trainings of the CSTO Collective Forces, which have  taken into account the experience of our peacekeepers gained during  peacekeeping operations in different regions of the world. And the  results are evident.  In accordance with the will of the Republic of  Kazakhstan, the peacekeepers will be withdrawn to their permanent  bases as planned.

At an extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council  held on January 10, this year, the heads of CSTO member States noted  that these events became a turning point in the development of our  Organization, which had acquired new qualities as a strong  international institution. The CSTO is a really working mechanism for  ensuring the stability and security of our States.  Dear friends!

In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of  you, who have honorably fulfilled your service and human duty, the  duty of a peacekeeper! Those who have distinguished themselves in  particular will be rewarded by the CSTO Collective Security Council  and the defense ministries of the Organization's member States.

I wish you success in your military service and safe return home".