CSTO to Equip Collective Forces with Modern Weapons
Following the events in Afghanistan, the Collective Security Treaty Organization confirms plans to rapidly deploy collective forces in Central Asia.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin
Following a Collective Security Council session in Dunshabe on Thursday, leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization approved a plan on Thursday to supply the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the CSTO with modern weapons, military, and special equipment means according to the agreement issued at the end of the summit.
The statement stressed that the agreement will permit the participants to raise their collective rapid reaction forces to a qualitatively new level.
Putin: The situation in the region is the responsibility of the CSTO.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the situation in the CSTO area of responsibility is unstable and poses risks to the countries of the region.
"As we mentioned earlier, the situation in the CSTO's area of responsibility and at the external borders of member states is not only unstable, but also brings new acute challenges and risks to the security of our countries," Putin told the CSTO leaders' summit.
The Russian President also announced the need to coordinate efforts and unite the countries of the CSTO in order to ensure security against repercussions of the situation in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sedar Gabarov stressed that the situation in Afghanistan may negatively affect the countries of the Collective Security Organization.
For his part, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pointed out the humanitarian situation might be followed by challenges and threats to CSTO countries.
What is the CSTO
The CSTO was established on May 15, 1992, in Tashkent, by the presidents of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In 1993, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Georgia joined this organization, but Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan later withdrew.
There are currently 6 member states: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
The Collective Security Council is the supreme body of the CSTO, which elects the Secretary-General of the organization.
