"The decision we have made with regard to military bases of the third countries is very important for the consolidation of positions within the CSTO. It is an important aspect on which all the parties have reached an agreement. I would like to draw your attention to this fact and thank everyone who has contributed to it."

The meetings’ participants stated that since its establishment (next May the CSTO will mark its 10th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of its foundation treaty) the association has turned into a powerful bloc which ensures security across Eurasia. The priority areas for the organization are fighting against drug trafficking and terrorism, as well as further strengthening of the collective rapid response forces, the CSTO’s Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said:

"The presidents have approved the program to equip the collective rapid response forces. These forces will be expanded to include anti-drug units from all member states. Apart from that, we have agreed on the joint action we should take in the event of man-caused and natural disasters. In general, in my opinion, the meeting has provided a strong impetus for the organization’s development in every direction."

Currently, Moscow is hosting a whole number of meetings which involve leaders of the Post-Soviet states. On Monday, issues of economic integration were discussed in a trilateral format as part of the agreement on the single economic space, which will unite Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus from January 2012.  On Tuesday, an informal CIS summit was held dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).  The representatives of CIS member states recalled the break-up of the USSR and stressed the role of the CIS on the Post Soviet territory as well as the unifying part played by Russia.

(VOR)

The CSTO meeting in Moscow AFP Photo / RIA-Novosti / Kremlin Pool / Dmitry Astakhov