There took place a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council

On October 14 in Yerevan there took place a session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which was chaired by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. Armenia was presiding over the Organization in the period of time between the sessions in 2015-2016.

At the session discussed were issues pertinent to the process of implementation of the decisions adopted at the previous summit of the CSTO and the priorities set by the Republic of Armenia during its presidency.

In the framework of over two dozen agenda items of the session, the parties spoke about the international situation and pressing issues of the collective security; discussed were the draft decisions on the CSTO collective security strategy until year 2025 and creation of the CSTO crisis response center, implementation of the decisions aimed at the improvement of the activities of the Organization and fight against the international terrorism.

The Republic of Belarus assumed presidency of the CSTO for years 2016-2017. President Alexander Lukashenko will present in writing to the Collective Security Council priorities set by Belarus which it plans to implement during its presidency.

In the framework of the agenda of the Collective Security Council signed were documents pertinent to the further enforcement of the military component of the Organization, training of the military personnel, and development of the CSTO member states’ crisis response system. At the session, the Heads of State decided to remove from the agenda the item on the Secretary General of the CSTO and discuss the issue at the end of this year.

At the plenary session President Serzh Sargsyan informed the representatives of the official delegations on the issues discussed in the narrow format. “I believe, we have conducted efficient and frank discussions on the issues which are directly related to our work and have an impact on the security issues of our countries, are projected and manifested at the regional level and beyond. We’ve certainly spoken about the threats and challenges faced by the global community, first of all I mean the unprecedented eruption of terrorism and violence which cannot be justified.

Distinguished Heads of State,

The Yerevan session is concluding Armenia’s presidency at the Organization In the period between the sessions, there certain steps have been taken aimed at deepening the cooperation within the CSTO. The works have been aimed at the increase of the Organization’s potential keeping in mind the goals and tasks stipulated by the Collective Security Treaty, whose 25th anniversary we will be celebrating next year,” said President Serzh Sargsyan at the plenary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council.