CSTO is viable, able to respond to any threats, Bordyuzha says

Nikolai Bordyuzha paid attention to the fact that Uzbekistan's actions to suspend its membership in the organization caused certain damage to the image of the organization. "There have been many publications doubting CSTO viability. I believe them to be absolutely groundless. The organization is viable enough and the main thing is that the CSTO possesses a necessary power potential to respond to any challenges and threats to its member states," Nikolai Bordyuzha noted.

"The CSTO is viable and is capable of fulfilling its tasks," the official stressed.

He said that today he reported to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on the ongoing activities of the CSTO, on the preparations for the exercises. According to him, the exercises of the collective rapid response forces (CRRF) in the Central Asian region will begin in several days. In September the CRRF will go to Armenia for a major exercise, while the peacekeeping forces will have exercises in Kazakhstan. The meeting also discussed the situation in connection with Uzbekistan's intention to suspend membership in the CSTO. Nikolai Bordyuzha reported to the Belarusian head of state on the analysis that the Secretariat conducted together with the Permanent Council of the consequences which will take place in wake of with this decision. A large block of issues was related to the preparations for the autumn session of the Collective Security Council. It will be entirely dedicated to military cooperation, Nikolai Bordyuzha said.