On September 15, 2021, in the city of Dushanbe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev participated in a joint session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Ministers of Defense and the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The participants in the meeting had a detailed exchange of views on the state and prospects for the development of the international and regional situation. Particular attention was paid to the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the security of the CSTO member states. They also discussed issues of enhanced cooperation between the CSTO and the CIS, SCO, as well as other international organizations.

In his speech, Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev drew attention to the importance of timely development of collective and consolidated measures to respond to emerging security challenges and threats, of strengthening cooperation in the main areas of CSTO activities and increasing the potential of the Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Organization.

The Minister emphasized that ensuring the collective security of the member states is possible only if its reliable system is built, through effective cooperation and practical interaction.

As part of a joint meeting of the CFM, CMD, CSSS CSTO, 25 documents were signed concerning the further development of the collective security system in the political and military fields, in the field of countering contemporary challenges and threats.

The heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the CSTO member states adopted several joint declarations, including on the situation in Afghanistan; on the coordination of joint efforts in the field of information security and the combating cyber terrorism; collective efforts to resolve crisis situations in the Middle East and North Africa; on reaffirming adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and strengthening cooperation to ensure their strict observance.

On the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, a Statement was adopted on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the CIS and the 20th anniversary of the SCO. It is also planned to adopt a Statement on Confidence Building in the Border Area of the CSTO Member States.

In addition, the joint meeting approved a number of documents related to the activities of the Council of Ministers of Defense and the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Organization.

Furthermore, the joint meeting approved the documents to be submitted for endorsement by the heads of state during the upcoming session of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

The parties agreed to intensify further interaction of the CSTO member states in all areas of mutual interest.

Tomorrow, September 16, 2021, the next session of the CSTO Collective Security Council will take place in Dushanbe, on the outcome of which the chairmanship of the Organization for the next intersessional period will be transferred from the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Armenia.