07Sep08

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CSTO adopts statement on global security and strategic stability

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The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has adopted a statement on the global security and strategic stability on September 4. The document was signed by the foreign ministers of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The statement attaches a paramount importance to the further development and expansion of cooperation within the framework of the CSTO with a view to strengthening the global security and strategic stability, providing a joint response to global threats, including the international terrorism and the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction. At the same time the sides remain committed to the key agreements on the strategic offensive weapons that have underpinned the international stability and security over the last decades.

According to the CSTO foreign ministers, the observance of the START Treaty is a significant step on the path to the nuclear disarmament, a meaningful contribution to the implementation of the goals stipulated in article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"We welcome the April 6, 2008 U.S.-Russia Strategic Framework Declaration which affirms the governments' commitment to reduce strategic offensive weapons and develop a legally-binding agreement following expiration of the START Treaty in December 2009," the statement runs.

The foreign ministers believe that this agreement could inherit the best of the START Treaty and simultaneously set new lower levels for strategic delivery vehicles (intercontinental ballistic missiles, ballistic missile submarines, heavy bombers) and warheads deployed on them.

The CSTO foreign ministers expressed their confidence that the commitment to this agreement could secure the stability and predictability of the strategic relations between the major nuclear powers; contribute to the promotion of the total elimination of the nuclear weapons.

[Source: Belarusian Telegraph Agency, 07Sep08]

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