Belarus to host several CSTO exercises this year

To strengthen the existing capabilities of the CSTO in the military sphere, practical steps are envisaged aimed at ensuring the combat readiness of the Collective Forces of the Organisation – as CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov told journalists after his meeting with the President of Belarus

Three exercises are planned on the territory of Belarus this year: Interaction, Echelon and Search,” informed Imangali Tasmagambetov.

According to him, one of the most important areas of work will be measures to counter terrorism and transnational crime, drug trafficking, illegal migration and in the field of information security.

The variety of tasks dictates the need for effective positioning of the CSTO on the outer contour. The CSTO Secretary General noted that the organisation would continue to strengthen liaisons with other international associations, including the UN, the SCO, the CIS, and the OSCE.

“At the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, the CSTO potential was highly appreciated by the adoption of the relevant resolution. For further practical co-operation between the UN and the CSTO, I informed Aleksandr Lukashenko about the steps that are being taken to connect the CSTO collective peacekeeping forces to the UN peacekeeping operations,” added  Imangali Tasmagambetov.