Stanislav Zas: One of CSTO’s tasks is to develop relations with international security organizations

“One of CSTO’s tasks is to develop relations with other security structures and international organizations,” said Stanislav Zas, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, in an interview with Sputnik Armenia on January 16.
Stanislav Zas noted that the CSTO’s relations with other organizations differ. For example, intensive cooperation in the fight against terrorism has been formed with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Good relations are maintained with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Contacts have been established with the United Nations, primarily in terms of peacekeeping and combating terrorism.
“We interact with other organizations very poorly or not at all, this is also a fact. But one must take it calmly. Although, in our assessment, this does not contribute to collective security in Eurasia. Therefore, it would be beneficial for all of us if we build normal relations,” says Stanislav Zas.
Commenting on the involvement of the Organization’s peacekeeping forces in stabilizing the situation in Kazakhstan, Mr Zas said that this was a lesson “to all of us.”
Asked whether the CSTO can be called the dominant force in its area of responsibility, Mr Zas said in the affirmative.
“Yes, it certainly is. Moreover, a little later, in a calm atmosphere, we will analyse the whole process, draw certain conclusions for ourselves and, if necessary, make some adjustments...
Another thing is that I do not see the need for a serious restructuring of our activities. It is because the system, the mechanisms which we have created within the CSTO have worked rather well,” said the CSTO Secretary General.