Sergei SHOIGU urged to improve CSTO’s military component

Due to the difficult military and political situation, tactical potential of the Collective Security Treaty Organization requires improvement.
Acting Defence Minister Sergei SHOIGU said this today at a meeting with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav ZAS, the Russian Defence Ministry press service reports.
“Much has been done since the Organization was established. A crisis response system has been created, components of the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) have been formed and joint operative and combat training events are regularly held. Military and political situation in the region and the world as a whole remains difficult. The crisis potential has not diminished. Therefore, in order to ensure the readiness of the CSTO’s tactical component and effective handling of anti-crisis tasks, this joint work should continue,” he said.
He congratulated Stanislav ZAS on assuming the office of CSTO Secretary General and expressed confidence that his new post will contribute to further strengthening of collective security and raising the international prestige of the Organization.
“Promotion of the relations within the CSTO framework is one of Russia’s constant priorities,” Mr SHOIGU concluded.
Stanislav ZAS, in turn, said that the country can achieve the tasks initially set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, President Vladimir PUTIN. According to Mr ZAS, the Russian Federation will be able to take steps to strengthen its defence and collective security of the CSTO Member States
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