CSTO Members Agree to Strengthen Cooperation and Organisational Capabilities
A joint meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s Council of Foreign Ministers, Council of Defence Ministers and Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils was held in Moscow on November 10, chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov also attended. Participants exchanged views on pressing international and regional issues and reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation in addressing security challenges in the organisation’s area of responsibility and neighbouring regions.
The discussions covered the rising risk of conflict, terrorist activity, drug trafficking, illegal migration and crimes involving information and communications technologies. Participants agreed on the need to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to respond to these threats.
The meeting reviewed documents for consideration by the CSTO Collective Security Council. Participants endorsed decisions to develop the organisation’s Collective Aviation Forces and air-defence capabilities, and to strengthen biological security in its area of responsibility. They also approved several joint political statements, including the summit’s final declaration.
With the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly marking its 20th anniversary, participants gave particular attention to strengthening interparliamentary cooperation and approved a draft agreement on the assembly.
A programme of events was prepared for approval by the heads of state to mark two milestones in 2027: the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the CSTO.
Participants also agreed to submit documents concerning staffing of the organisation’s permanent bodies to the heads of state.
Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin briefed the meeting on his country’s priorities for its CSTO chairmanship in 2027. The next meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers is scheduled to take place in Tajikistan in the first half of 2027.
