Zakharova Discusses CSTO

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) plays a key role in maintaining peace and stability in its area of responsibility. This statement was made by Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during a weekly briefing. She reminded that on October 7, the organization will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

“It was on this day 20 years ago that the decision was made to grant CSTO the status of an international regional organization. In a relatively short period, the organization has traversed an honorable path. An effective structure dealing with security issues has been created through joint efforts. The CSTO also plays a crucial role in supporting regional stability in its area of responsibility,” said Zakharova.

She emphasized that participation in the peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan in January of this year was a vivid confirmation of the military-political organization’s maturity.

Conditions for the participation of the CSTO collective forces in peacekeeping operations carried out under the auspices of the UN are currently being consistently developed. According to her, Russia considers the further development of cooperation with CSTO partners to be one of its foreign policy priorities.

It is worth noting that the organization includes six countries: Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.