President Tokayev calls for Central Asia and China to share law enforcement databases

Tokayev proposed that the interior ministries of Central Asian countries and China expand information-sharing efforts / Photo: Akorda, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the interior ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as China’s minister of public security, who arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in the second meeting of law enforcement agencies in the «Central Asia – China» format.

During the meeting, the participants discussed a wide range of issues related to regional security, including combating transnational crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and extremism.

Tokayev said that strengthening economic cooperation between the countries of the region is closely linked to security issues.

«Any increase in cargo flows is associated with certain risks. I am referring to transnational crime, including the trafficking of contraband, drugs and weapons,» he said.

The president also stressed the importance of leveraging the potential of the Central Asia – China format to build an effective regional security system.

«I believe that the interior ministries should strengthen cooperation and exchange information on the most sensitive issues related to security and public order,» Tokayev said.

He added that citizens expect their governments to take effective and timely measures to maintain public order and ensure safe living conditions.

«We need this so that our children feel safe and citizens can confidently say that their leaders, the interior ministries and other agencies are making every effort to maintain public order in accordance with the law,» the president said.