ASTANA. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is running for reelection, has promised comprehensive modernization of the army and law enforcement agencies to be accomplished in the coming years.
"We need to ensure the inviolability of state sovereignty and the country's integrity amid unprecedented external challenges. This is our duty and our sacred obligation to the past and future generations. In order to do that, we will focus on comprehensive modernization of the army, law enforcement and security agencies," Tokayev said at the national public headquarters on Wednesday as he presented his election program.
"Troops will be provided with modern weapons and hardware," he said.
"We will raise the prestige of military service and the status of servicemen and will improve the public image of our army. Servicemen will become a symbol of Kazakh patriotism. Efforts will be taken towards the development of the defense industry, the strengthening of territorial defense, and the improvement of military education's quality and cohesion of forces," Tokayev said.
Early presidential elections in Kazakhstan have been set for November 20.