Regular Meeting of Defense Ministers of CSTO Member States Held

On December 1, a regular meeting of the defense ministers of CSTO member states was held in a video conference format, attended by Armenian Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan. During the meeting, the heads of the defense ministries exchanged views on issues related to international and regional security in CSTO collective security areas, as reported by the Armenian Ministry of Defense.

The Minister of Defense of Armenia informed his colleagues about the situation created in Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly emphasizing the need to significantly reduce the timelines for the implementation of response mechanisms for crisis situations in CSTO member states. Vagharshak Harutyunyan particularly highlighted the efforts of the Russian Federation aimed at stabilizing the military-political situation in the region, the ongoing and effectiveness of the Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh, and stressed the importance of humanitarian activities. He also emphasized the importance of efforts to locate and exchange deceased servicemen, captives, hostages, and missing persons.

The defense ministers approved the decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council regarding the plan for developing military cooperation among CSTO member states for 2021-2025. During the meeting, agenda items were discussed, including pathways for the further development of the CSTO military component, measures to improve the training system for personnel of state administration bodies of CSTO member states, and the training system for peacekeeping force personnel.

The Minister of Defense of Tajikistan delivered a speech informing his colleagues about the priorities of military cooperation within the CSTO during Tajikistan's presidency in the organization.

The next meeting of the Defense Ministers of CSTO member states is scheduled to be held in the first half of 2021 in the Republic of Tajikistan, as reported by the Ministry of Defense.