Russia to assist to expand circle of CSTO friends - Putin

Bishkek, Nov. 28, 2019. / Kabar/. Russia will help to expand the circle of CSTO friends, Russian President Vladimir Putin told at an expanded format meeting of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Bishkek. He said that this work will be carried out through the development of cooperation with all interested states and international associations. “Let me remind you that last year we approved a package of documents that open up the possibility of granting observer status to CSTO partners. After these documents are ratified by all members of the organization, it is possible to begin a dialogue with states expressing interest and readiness to establish close contacts with the CSTO,” Putin said. The Collective Security Treaty Organization is a military alliance created in 1992, whose goal is to strengthen peace, international and regional security and stability. Members of the organization are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.