MINSK, 30 November (BelTA) – The decision in favor of legalizing the institution of partnership as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization was made by participants of the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Minsk on 30 November, BelTA has learned.
Belarus has worked out a package of draft legislation on legalizing the institution of partnership in the CSTO as part of the country's presidency in the organization in 2017 and in line with the agreements reached during the session of the CSTO Foreign Ministers Council on 17 July 2017.
The institution of partnership is supposed to allow third countries to discuss topical matters together with the CSTO member states in addition to taking part in practical interaction in individual areas in the organization's scope. This partnership is expected to create kind of a good neighborhood belt in order to stop problems together with friendly nations and organizations before they reach the CSTO borders.
Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told media that the institution of partnership is supposed to increase the influence and authority of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The partnership institution will allow more active work with other countries and regional organizations. The relevant document has been drafted. “It is in the final stage of the approval process. Some CSTO member states have to complete only several domestic approval procedures. I am convinced we will finish it next year,” said the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs.
The CSTO leaders also passed a statement on joint measures to bolster the defensive potential of the CSTO member states. The document reads that enhancing the defensive potential of the CSTO countries is one of the most important directions in joint work. The document also calls for improving the system of practical cooperation between the national armies for the sake of ensuring security, stability, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the countries.
In view of the priorities of Belarus' CSTO presidency the document also mentions intentions to increase the volume of mutual trade between national defense contractors, establish manufacturing cooperation ties, expand scientific and technical cooperation, and improve provision mechanisms for the CSTO collective forces.
Belarus assumed the CSTO presidency on 14 October 2016. The priorities of Belarus' presidency include securing a quality increase in the CSTO's influence in the international scene, advancing the system for responding to crisis situations to the next level, radically improving the operational readiness of the CSTO collective forces, expanding the CSTO agenda with economic security matters, implementing a set of extra measures to counteract international terrorism and illegal drugs turnover and measures to stabilize the migration situation.
