MINSK, 30 November (BelTA) – Negotiations during the CSTO summit in Minsk proceeded in an open and principled manner. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during the plenary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council meeting in Minsk on 30 November, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian head of state said: “It was truly an open and principled conversation between the world's closest countries. Unfortunately, we have no one closer and dearer to us than those sitting at this table. Or maybe fortunately.”
“During the private talks in a constructive, trustful, and sincere manner we discussed trends in the development of the international situation and its influence on the situation in our organization's responsibility area. We exchanged opinions about the effectiveness of measures, which are being taken to ensure collective security,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
The Belarus president noted with pleasure the affinity of views of the parties on the modern threats the CSTO member states face and on whether the chosen strategy for minimizing them is effective or not.
“We've been working persistently together to increase the international authority of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, expand the number of its supporters, and develop the most important forms of foreign policy coordination,” stated Alexander Lukashenko.
In his words, the organization has managed to formalize in concepts the common approaches to information security and upgrade the basic components of the crisis response system to match cutting-edge technical requirements. Concrete steps have been made to enable conditions for using the peacekeeping potential.
Apart from that, the foundation for legislating partnership between the Collective Security Treaty Organization and international organizations and third countries has been prepared.
“On the whole, a lot has been done in the jubilee year of 2017. I am convinced that future joint actions to make the CSTO stronger will continue in a steady, persistent, and dynamic manner. It is necessary to keep this work within sight of the general public in our countries and abroad,” stressed the Belarusian leader.
Belarus expects that all the previously advanced initiatives will be expanded and creatively developed after Kazakhstan takes over the CSTO presidency.
