ASTANA. April 3 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has urged the security councils of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states to step up public security amid a global cycle of conflicts, including the terror attack on Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region, the presidential press service said.
"The world saw 183 regional and local conflicts last year, their number grew almost 30%. This is the highest number in the past three decades. Experts believe we are witnessing a global cycle of conflicts and violence. The threat of international terrorism is rising against this backdrop," Tokayev said at a meeting with the security council secretaries of SCO member states in Astana on Wednesday.
The recent tragedy in the Moscow region proves that terrorists continue to resort to the cruelest and most inhumane forms of violence, he said.
"Kazakhstan instantly voiced strong condemnation of the terror attack and its solidarity with Russia. [...] The entire international community, including the countries you represent here today, strongly condemns the terror attack in the Moscow region," Tokayev said.
Kazakh and Russian security services are constantly interacting in antiterrorism efforts, he said.
"Primarily, we need to draw the right conclusions and take the necessary practical steps. It is necessary to ensure the security of our citizens and give a worthy response to the terrorist threat," Tokayev said.