MOSCOW, 23 August (BelTA) – The CSTO reaffirms readiness for dialogue with NATO on the situation in Afghanistan, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said at a briefing following the video summit of the CSTO Collective Security Council on 23 August, BelTA has learned.
“As for interaction with NATO, we have stated our readiness to develop cooperation with NATO on all topical issues for our organizations, including Afghanistan. Unfortunately, we have seen no such willingness on the part of NATO. This is why there is no point talking about any steps at the moment,” Stanislav Zas said.
“I still believe that such a dialogue and such interaction would only help localize the threats coming from Afghanistan,” the CSTO secretary general said.
When asked about the possible deployment of NATO bases in the CSTO member states in the wake of the developments in Afghanistan, Stanislav Zas said that such issues are regulated by the CSTO Charter. “All such issues are subject to discussion in the organization and joint decisions should be made,” he emphasized.
The emergency session of the CSTO Collective Security Council was held on the initiative of Russia. It was chaired by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko attended the meeting. Apart from the leaders of the CSTO countries, the event was also attended by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
