Sergei Lavrov: The experience of Serbia’s participation in the CSTO PA can be scaled up to other countries.

The experience of Serbia’s participation as an observer country in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) can be scaled up to other countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov.
According to RIA Novosti, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation noted in particular: “Over the years, we have seen the examples of cooperation on various individual events (within the framework of the CSTO). Our Serbian colleagues, for instance, participate as observers in the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly. They may also be called upon to participate either as participants or as observers in individual exercises conducted by the CSTO, especially in the area of combating terrorism. And this experience can be scaled up to other countries, too.”
Sergei Lavrov reminded that last year it was decided to introduce the status of a CSTO observer and partner: “Regulatory documents have been prepared; they cover the rights of both observers and partners. We are working now on the issues related to the possible application for this status by third countries.”
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the future of the CSTO is “very stable.” This is also due to the fact that “threats are growing, and it is much more effective to address these threats together.”​