Aleksandr Lukashenko partakes in CSTO Collective Security Council session in Moscow

The Collective Security Treaty Organization has matured as a respected security body, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko at the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Moscow on 15 May.

The ongoing session of the Collective Security Council marks the 20th anniversary of the Collective Security Treaty. Taking part in the Moscow summit were leaders of the Participating states, including Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The Belarusian head of state pointed out Belarus has always been in favor of enhancing supranational institutions that are meant to ensure security and stability for all countries in equal measure.

“We are interested in a productive dialogue with international organizations such as the UN, the OSCE, and NATO, and in peaceful resolution of conflict situations,” the Belarusian leader said.

“But we are against vain chatter!” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “Our goal is cooperation for the sake of concrete and tangible results,” the President of Belarus added.

The Belarusian head of state believes that it is necessary to take several measures in the near and medium term future to further improve and develop the CSTO.

In particular, Belarus suggests improving the security and effectiveness of the protection of CSTO member states from terrorism, drugs trafficking, illegal migration and information challenges.

The President of Belarus believes it is necessary to enhance the military component of the organization, focusing on developing highly mobile modern special forces. Those are collective rapid response and deployment forces, peacemaking troops.

Belarus is also in favor of establishing tight and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and international associations. “We believe we should not restrict ourselves to security only,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Coordination with economic and political bodies should be in place. Particularly those in the ex-USSR area,” he added.

According to the Belarusian head of state, a complex approach to cooperation will allow advancing interaction of the CSTO member states to a brand new level.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes it is also necessary for the organization to harmoniously become part of the modern global and regional security architecture.

“For the sake of successful accomplishment of our goals the CSTO should not be isolated. In the 21st century no regional organization can repulse all modern challenges alone,” the President of Belarus noted.

“Dialogue, equal partnering relations, joint projects and programs with other organizations and countries are what will secure success in the confrontation with transnational threats,” the Belarusian head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also assured those present that Belarus will continue doing its best for the sake of quality development of the CSTO, its improvement, universalization, and harmonious adaptation in the modern world.

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that more countries might join the CSTO in the future. The Belarusian head of state noted that over a short historical period the CSTO has grown from a classic military bloc to an organization capable of responding to virtually any threats. “This view is shared by others,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

The status and strategy of the CSTO have been acknowledged by other countries, international and regional organizations, including the UN, that want to establish closer ties with it.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the international weight of the CSTO grew not only due to the active stance of the member states, but also thanks to a better teamwork inside the organization.

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that the member states are expanding cooperation across all the fields. Belarus contributed to enhancing foreign policy coordination of the member states at other international organizations.

“Adopting a common stance on topical issues of the international agenda vividly shows to our partners how united we are today,” the President of Belarus said.

At the session the heads of state discussed further strengthening of collective measures for counteracting contemporary threats and challenges. The presidents also discussed the situation in various regions of the world, including Syria and the Iranian nuclear issue.

Following the session the heads of state adopted a declaration evaluating the major trends of the international development and the CSTO efforts, confirmed their commitment to the goals and principles of the Collective Security Treaty and readiness to promote and deepen allied relations in foreign policy, military and defense cooperation, and fight against transnational challenges and treats to security and stability.

Since the CSTO was established, the organization has turned into a key instrument of maintaining collective peace in its responsibility zone and providing an adequate response to a wide range of modern challenges and threats. The CSTO priorities are improving the collective security system, including optimization of military and defense cooperation and better coordination of the foreign policy of the CSTO member states.