Armed forces chiefs of CSTO member states meet in Astana

April 6, 2012 - 12:41 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Kazakhstan’s ministry of defense hosted in Astana the informal meeting of chiefs of Armed forces headquarters of CSTO member-states headed by Kazakhstan’s first deputy defense minister Saken Zhasuzakov.

According to the press service of Kazakhstan’s embassy in Armenia, delegations from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan discussed activities of the Joint headquarters, further development of Collective forces of prompt response and Collective peace-keeping forces.

The participants also exchanged views on the international military-political situation and CSTO’s responsibility area.

The meeting focused on strengthening the CSTO collective activity, increased role of the organization and targeted use of its potential.

Besides, issues related to organization of events on the forthcoming CSTO anniversaries were discussed.

“As you know, 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the Treaty and 10th anniversary of the Organization. In this regard, we discussed today events held in CSTO states in the military area dedicated to these dates,” Zhasuzakov said.

CSTO

The Collective Security Treaty Organization, formed under the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, serves as a mutual defense alliance among Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The Collective Security Treaty (CST) was signed on May 15, 1992 for five-year term, with the possibility of prolongation. On December 2, 2004 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Resolution to grant the observer status to the Collective Security Treaty Organization in the General Assembly of the United Nations. The goal of the Collective Security Treaty Organization is to strengthen peace and international and regional security and stability and to ensure collective protection of independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Member States, in the attainment of which Member States shall give priority to political methods. On February 4, 2009, the CSTO leaders approved formation of Collective Rapid Reaction Force (RRF).