CSTO countries express concern over space militarization threat

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. The member-states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization are concerned about the threat of militarization of outer space and believe that an arms race there should prevented by all means, the CSTO permanent representatives said in a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on Thursday. "The CSTO member states are seriously worried in connection with the growing threat of weapons being deployed in orbit and of outer space of being converted into a scene of armed confrontation," the statement runs. It stresses the exclusive importance of prompt practical measures for preventing an arms race in space. The CSTO countries believe that a legally binding agreement containing reliable guarantees against putting weapons in space would be one of the most effective measures. The CSTO countries hailed the activity of the group of UN governmental experts, which has started drafting recommendations for the likely components of a legally binding instrument for the prevention of an arms race in space, including prevention of the deployment of weapons in orbit. The CSTO member-states reaffirmed allegiance to their commitment assumed in 2005 not to be the first to put weapons in space and urged all other countries to follow suit and consider the possibility of full-fledged participation in that initiative. Read more