Belarus will make every effort to promote the qualitative development of the CSTO - A. Lukashenko

May 15, Minsk /BELTA/. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has established itself as an authoritative security structure, and the potential for enhancing its effectiveness is far from exhausted. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this on May 15 in Moscow at a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. The extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty and the 10th anniversary of the CSTO's establishment. Initially, the heads of state met in a narrow format, followed by an expanded session of the Collective Security Council. The summit in Moscow was attended by the leaders of all member states of the organization: Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus has always advocated for strengthening supranational institutions designed to ensure equal security and stability for all states. "We are interested in constructive dialogue with international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, NATO, and in the peaceful resolution of conflict situations," said the head of the Belarusian state. "But we are against empty rhetoric!" Alexander Lukashenko stressed. "Our goal is cooperation aimed at achieving concrete and tangible results!" the President of Belarus added. Alexander Lukashenko believes that the potential for enhancing the CSTO's effectiveness is far from exhausted. In the near and medium term, a number of measures need to be taken to further improve and develop the CSTO. In particular, the Belarusian side proposes to enhance the security and effectiveness of protecting CSTO member states from terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal migration, and challenges in the information sphere. Furthermore, the President of Belarus considers it necessary to strengthen the military component of the organization, focusing on the development of highly mobile modern special forces. These include collective rapid response forces, operational deployment forces, and a peacekeeping contingent. The Belarusian side also advocates for establishing close, mutually beneficial cooperation with other states and international associations. "At the same time, in our opinion, we should not limit ourselves to cooperation solely in the security sphere," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "Coordination should also be carried out with economic and political structures, especially those operating in the post-Soviet space." Alexander Lukashenko is confident that a comprehensive approach to cooperation issues will elevate the interaction of CSTO states to a qualitatively new level. Another task that, in the opinion of the President of Belarus, the organization should implement is the need for harmonious integration into the modern architecture of global and regional security. "To successfully achieve the set goals, the CSTO should not isolate itself," noted the President of Belarus. "In the 21st century, no regional organization can single-handedly counter all modern challenges." "Dialogue, equal partnerships, joint projects, and programs with other organizations and countries are the key to success in confronting transnational threats," stressed the head of the Belarusian state. Alexander Lukashenko also assured that Belarus, as before, will actively contribute to the qualitative development of the CSTO, its improvement, universalization, and harmonious adaptation to the modern world. According to the President of Belarus, the CSTO may expand its membership in the future. The head of the Belarusian state stated that in a short historical period, the organization has gone far beyond the classical defense bloc and is currently capable of responding to virtually any threats. "And these are not just our assessments," stressed Alexander Lukashenko. Confirmation that the CSTO is taken seriously and has chosen the right direction of development is the interest shown by other states, international and regional organizations, including the UN, in establishing close cooperation. The President of Belarus noted that the growth of the CSTO's authority in the world has become possible not only due to the active position of the member states but also through increased interaction and cohesion within the organization itself. Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that cooperation is systematically deepening in all areas of activity. Largely due to Belarus's initiative, member states have widely adopted the mechanism of foreign policy coordination on the platforms of other international organizations. "Speaking from common positions on current international agenda issues clearly demonstrates to our partners that we are united today," stressed the President of Belarus. During the meeting, the heads of state discussed measures for collective counteraction to global and regional security challenges, summarized the CSTO's activities over the decade, and outlined priority areas for the organization's further development. The presidents also reviewed the situation in various regions of the world, including Syria, and the issue related to the Iranian nuclear problem. Following the meeting, the heads of state adopted a declaration that provides a collective assessment of the main trends in the development of the international situation and the CSTO's activities, reaffirms commitment to the goals and principles of the Collective Security Treaty, and expresses readiness to develop and deepen allied relations in the foreign policy, military, and military-technical spheres, and in countering transnational challenges and threats to security and stability. Over 10 years, the CSTO has become a key instrument for maintaining collective security in its zone of responsibility and for adequately responding to a wide range of modern challenges and threats. Among the organization's main priorities are improving the collective security system, including optimizing military and military-technical cooperation, as well as increasing the coordination of foreign policy activities of CSTO countries. -0-