Putin: CSTO Countries Should Unite to Fight Modern Challenges

PanARMENIAN.Net - Collective Security Treaty Organization member countries should unite their efforts in fighting modern challenges, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting with heads of defense and foreign departments of CSTO countries. In his words, special attention should be paid to security issues. «The drug traffic, terrorist threat, organized crime - these are realities, with which we unfortunately have to encounter and fight,» the Russian President emphasized. He reminded that these threats and challenges can efficiently be fought against only by uniting efforts. In Putin's words, the CSTO countries also «have in fact common energy and transport systems.» «All of this forms favorable conditions for criminal elements as well, but it also provides us an opportunity to counteract these threats,» the President said.



The Russian President specifically suggested focusing on the problem of the defense complex and anti-aircraft defense. In Putin's words, the interaction between CSTO countries is coming to a new level. Welcoming the meeting participants in the Kremlin, he remarked «we are gathering in this format for the first time.» «This is a good sign meaning that coordination between CSTO countries is increasing and acquiring new qualities,» the Russian leader supposes.



In his turn Russian FM Sergey Lavrov stated the CSTO is ready to conduct peacekeeping operations in the participant states on a specific request of any of the countries. The CSTO comprises Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Armenia. The Organization provides for military, as well as political cooperation between member states: enhancement of the integration level, expansion of the field of activities, reported Russian media.