Iran Interested In Deepening Cooperation With CSTO

Iran Interested In Deepening Cooperation With CSTO

ArmRadio.am
15.04.2009
By Karen Ghazaryan
Radiolur

The first sitting of the Interior Ministers of the CSTO member states was held in Yerevan today. Representatives of Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan participated in the sitting. Delegates of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan did not attend the meeting.

There were two issues on the agenda of the first sitting of the CSTO Interior Ministers: the functioning of the Collective Rapid-Reaction Forces and the organization of cooperation between the law-enforcement bodies within the framework of the CSTO.

Armenias Chief of Police Alik Sargsyan told a press conference that the meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere, and in the spirit of mutual understanding. According to him, urgent issues relating to bringing the cooperation between the CSTO rapid-reaction forces and the law-enforcement bodies of the member states had been discussed at the meeting. Reference was made to the challenges and threats the Organization faces: resisting terrorism, illegal drug trafficking and illegal migration.

According to the Minister of Interior of the Russian Federation, Rashid Nurgaliyev, it is necessary to work out more effective mechanisms to resist the existing challenges. According to the Russian Minister, the CSTO has conducted various arrangements, including military exercises, to ensure the security of the participating countries.

Asked about Irans intension to deepen its ties with the CSTO, Secretary General of the Organization Nikolay Bordyzha said Iran has already participated in some actions within the CSTO, namely the Canal operation against drug trafficking. We can only appreciate that many countries, including Iran, are interested in CSTO activity. The more countries join the CSTO actions, the higher level of security we will ensure.

According to Nikolay Bordyuzha, the special forces of Iran will continue participating in the events organized by CSTO.