Aleksandr Lukashenko attends session of SCTO Collective Security Council in Sochi

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The CSTO managed to create a flexible multi-vector system to respond to new challenges and threats using mostly preventive measure. President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement at the session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Sochi on 23 September.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this is in the best interests of all the CSTO member states. The system helps maintain security, stability and predictability on a substantial part of Eurasia. “This is of great importance in the modern world,” the Belarusian head of state emphasized.

Aleksandr Lukashenko deems it necessary to promote new areas of activity of the CSTO, including peacemaking.

He emphasized vigorous development of cooperation within the CSTO, including joint efforts to enhance information and border security and to coordinate information policy.

The President of Belarus was glad to say that this year was relatively calm for the organization; no internal shocks happened, the work was proceeding as planned. This allowed focusing on everyday tasks aimed at strengthening and reinforcing the organization in all the dimensions.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the format of events in Sochi suggested by Russia gives an opportunity to hold all the necessary meetings, calmly discuss topical issues on the international agenda and security issues in the organization’s responsibility zone and to come up with harmonized approaches to responding to new challenges and threats.

The Belarusian President believes that it is vital for the security of the CSTO member states to help Tajikistan reinforce the border with Afghanistan. “Everyone knows that Americans show their interest in the region and we hear frequent reports about the intention of the USA and NATO to leave some armaments and hardware, which are now in Afghanistan, in the area. They are even ready to finance the construction of border guard posts at the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border,” the Belarusian head of state remarked.

“But nothing is free. It is possible that they will ask something in return for their services. We should discuss and make up our minds whether it will be beneficial for allies in the CSTO. I doubt it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said .

Taking into account the current situation, the President of Belarus believes that Tajikistan’s difficulties are a topical question for the CSTO at present. “The problems that originate from Afghanistan are transnational. If we don’t act, they will grow larger like a snowball. Therefore, it is vital for our own security to render aid to Tajikistan,” the Belarusian head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the possibility of aiding Tajikistan has been discussed many times at various levels in recent years. In particular, Belarus has decided to offer free Military Academy tuition to Tajikistani officers.

“But now we have to take decisive steps to prevent this threat. It is what allies expect of us,” the Belarusian head of state believes.

“Only by joint efforts and with a proper level of coordination we will be able to effectively help the ally, which needs real aid,” the Belarus President emphasized.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that Belarus is in the same spirit with Russia and other CSTO member states on Syria issue.

“In what regards Syria and other issues we are acting in the same spirit with Russia, our main strategic partner. We have no disagreements with Russia as well as with other CSTO member states. We will stay committed to our guarantees and promises and will move in sync with the CSTO members,” the Belarusian head of state said.

According to the Belarusian President, upon the suggestion of the President of Russia the parties spent a lot of time discussing issues of international importance.

The President of Belarus also met with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Sochi. “There is one issue we should discuss. It is Armenia’s prospects for joining the Customs Union,” the Belarusian head of state said. “If Armenia decides on a fully-fledged participation in our organization, Belarus will never hinder it. We will support your intentions and provide all-round assistance in completing all the procedures and joining us as quickly as possible,” he added.

According to the President of Armenia, the country is very serious about the issue. “We have not changed our minds,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

Speaking about the bilateral relations in general, the President of Belarus emphasized that they had recently reached a very high level. The Belarusian leader expressed satisfaction with the current state of affairs in bilateral cooperation and its prospects.
Serzh Sargsyan also took note of the buoyant bilateral relations. “All the agreements are fulfilled. It can be seen in mutual trade as well as other areas of bilateral cooperation,” he said.