ArmInfo. Armenia makes a significant contribution to ensuring collective security within the framework of the CSTO. Secretary General of the CSTO Stanislav Zas said this in an interview with reporters on February 28 in Yerevan, answering a corresponding question.
"Armenia shows itself from an active position. A constructive business approach to all issues related to strengthening the organization and its development. This is actually noticeable in all directions. Even now, in Yerevan, I have already held a number of meetings: in the Ministry of Defense, and in the parliament, and today had a conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. And you know, in all these areas, Armenia works quite effectively and constructively, "said Zas, and citing the weighty representation of the Armenian parliament in the CSTO PA and an active position as an example on this site.
The Secretary General also paid tribute to Armenia for the fact that it does not put aside documents that need ratification, doing it quite quickly. "That is quite flexible legislation. Another example of Armenia's contribution to the CSTO is the example of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia - this year we have planned 7 exercises, two of which will take place on Armenian territory. Including one major - "Interaction 2020" - exercises with the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces will be held here. Armenia traditionally takes this form of troop training very seriously, since exercises are still the highest form of army training. We are confident that it will adequately cope with all technical and organizational issues, and we will conduct these exercises effectively, "he said.
Speaking about the interaction of Armenia with the CSTO through the foreign ministry, Zas expressed gratitude to the Armenian Foreign Ministry for the attention that it pays to the Organization and, in general, to issues related to security. "One argument can be drawn - such a major strategic document of the CSTO - the collective security strategy was developed for a long time until 2025, was completed in 2016. In Yerevan, under the chairmanship of Armenia, this strategy was approved, a lot of work was done, and it was the Armenian and especially the Foreign Ministry, that showed itself well. This is just one of the arguments that characterizes the country's role in the CSTO," Zas summed up.