MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Foreign and defence ministers and secretaries of national Security Councils of member countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization /CSTO/ have gathered for a joint meeting in Moscow on Monday.

“We have just ended a meeting in a narrow format, exchanged views on a number of aspects of the activity of our organization ahead of the meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. “Traditionally, the presidency is to be handed over to Tajikistan, in line with the Russian alphabet. We wish our Tajik friends success in fulfilling these duties.”

Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirodzhidin Aslov noted that the Collective Security Treaty Organization has achieved much over the year of Russia’s presidency. “Our presidency will be geared to build up cooperation within the CSTO and to enhance the Organization’s authority,” he said.