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CSTO FMs sign statement on approaches to Syrian settlement

The joint meeting signed another important document - the plan of consultations in the areas of foreign policy, security and defense

BISHKEK, May 27 (Itar-Tass) - The foreign ministers of the countries participating in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) signed a statement reflecting the approaches to the Syrian settlement and the situation regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Monday after the meeting in Bishkek.

“The heads of the foreign ministries signed the statement on international affairs of key importance, reflecting the approaches to the Syrian crisis, the state of things with Iran’s nuclear program, the situation regarding Afghanistan, Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and other topical matters,” he said.

“The joint meeting of the foreign ministers, defense ministers and secretaries of the security councils [of the CSTO] considered the tasks of further consolidation of collective security and development of peacekeeping mechanisms along the lines of collective rapid reaction forces,” the minister noted. “Regular exercises are already held,” he said. “Last year such exercises were held in Armenia; this year they are due in Belarus. Exercises for peacekeepers are also planned in Chebarkul this year,” he said. “Documents have been signed further to perfect the legal base and practical mechanisms of peacekeeping operations,” Lavrov added.

“Regarding Afghanistan, we dwelt on the need to fulfill the decisions registered in the documents signed earlier by the heads of state [of the CSTO],” the minister confirmed. “These are the action plan to prepare to avert threats to security in the zone of CSTO responsibility, the analysis of the situation and forecast of its development,” he said.

Lavrov also stated that the joint meeting signed another important document, the plan of consultations in the areas of foreign policy, security and defense in the second half of 2013 and the first half of 2014.