CSTO military exercise begins in Armenia

11:42, 16 September 2012

YEREVAN. September 16. KAZINFORMMember states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Saturday started a joint military exercise dubbed "Cooperation-2012," aiming to enhance the capability of its rapid reaction force.

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan welcomed the participating servicemen, voicing hope that the military exercise will contribute to the further enhancement of the CSTO's Collective Rapid Reaction Force (CRRF), Xinhua reports.

Calling the CRRF a "serious regional force" which can " withstand the potential hazards," the minister stated that the military drill will show "how six countries may unite for collective security reasons."

The six-nation CSTO is an intergovernmental military alliance comprising Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The military exercise, which will run through September 19, was held at the "Marshal Baghramyan"training ground of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Police, Ministry of Emergency Situations personnel and rescue service units were involved in the exercise, local media reported.