A meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Collective Security Council took place in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, on November 28.
The summit was reportedly attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, and CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry says CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Zhang Ming have been invited to attend the CSTO summit.
The meeting reportedly focused issues related to the military-political situation in the world and collective security zones, strengthening cooperation within the Organization and prospects for the development of the collective security system, as well as the progress of preparations for the joint celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
The heads of state also exchanged views on ways to strengthen and expand cooperation within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, relations with other regional and global organizations, and the Organization's Action Plan for 2025.
TASS reports that speaking at the meeting Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the Organization had completed the development of a program to reinforce the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan,
"During Kazakhstan's presidency, work was completed on the CSTO’s targeted interstate program for reinforcing the Tajik-Afghan border. The document, by the way, has been under development since 2013. Today we will sign this important decision aimed at reinforcing the southern borders of the organization," he was cited as saying.
The CSTO heads of state reportedly signed a resolution endorsing the "CSTO Targeted Program on Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border”.
Meanwhile, Tajik president’s official website says that speaking at the meeting, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon drew the attention of the participants of the meeting to the negative impact of the aggravation of the military-political situation in the region and the world on the CSTO member nations, stating that “all issues on today's agenda reflect the current reality, and we are in favor of making appropriate decisions on them.”
In addition, Emomali Rahmon reportedly expressed gratitude for supporting the decision to approve the CSTO Interstate Targeted Program on Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border.
In conclusion, the Tajik leader wished the future chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic in the CSTO every success and stated that Tajikistan is ready for fruitful joint work with the neighboring country and will provide comprehensive assistance in implementing the plans set for the chairmanship period.
Following the meeting, the heads of state inked 14 separate documents, including a declaration in which they declared their commitment to further develop the CSTO and their intention to continue interaction between member states.
