Russia Identifies Central Asia Security Risks as CSTO Key Concerns
The CSTO operates as a regional military alliance encompassing Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
During a high-level meeting with the organization's Secretary-General Taalatbek Masadykov in Moscow, Lavrov characterized the region's mounting security challenges as absolutely critical to the alliance's mission.
"The problems that are currently among the central ones for the CSTO are new challenges and threats. I am referring to the situation in the Central Asian region of collective security, as well as everything related to what is happening in Afghanistan," he said.
Lavrov commended Masadykov as "one of the leading experts" on Central Asian security matters and emphasized that his expertise could significantly enhance coordination efforts and elevate "the effectiveness of all allied actions."
He stressed that the meeting carried "practical significance," highlighting that Russia currently maintains the rotating chairmanship of the CSTO's Collective Security Council.
"We are ready to closely cooperate with you and with the staff of your Secretariat, which is also currently the subject of discussions on reforms and improvements, just like our entire allied format," he said.
Similar to NATO, the CSTO operates under a collective defense principle treating an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Afghanistan has persisted as a major flashpoint for regional states since the Taliban reclaimed power in 2021 following the departure of US and NATO forces. The nation continues grappling with a severe humanitarian and economic catastrophe despite achieving relative internal stability, with ongoing security and cross-border threats.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
