Russia to help CSTO countries make more friends: Putin

BISHKEK - Russia will work to help Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries to make more friends through promoting cooperation with interested states and international organizations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said here on Thursday.

At a meeting of the Collective Security Council, the highest body of the CSTO, Putin noted that last year a package of documents was approved, making it possible to grant other countries the status of CSTO observer or partner.

"After these documents are ratified by all members of the organization, we can start a dialogue with those states expressing interest and readiness to establish close contacts with the CSTO," said the Russian president.

In addition, Putin set forth priorities for the Russian presidency of the CSTO in 2020.

"Of course, we will strive to further strengthen cooperation with partners in the fight against international terrorism and extremism," he said.

Russia will continue the practice of joint operations to identify and eliminate international terrorist groups in the CSTO countries, including their bases and sources of funding, he added.

The CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance created in 1992, grouping the six former Soviet republics of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, with the aim of safeguarding peace and stability in Eurasia.