Iran not to join CSTO despite active cooperation
Iran cooperates with CSTO within the frameworks of many programs, CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha announced during Yerevan-Moscow video bridge. Despite Iran's active participation in anti-drug trafficking operations, the country does not make active steps towards joining the organization, the speaker finds.
Bordyuzha also commented upon Belarus and Ukraine's not signing the agreement on the activity of Collective Rapid Reaction Forces.
"Belarus always approved of the project, and I believe there were just some technical reasons preventing it to sign the CRRF agreement. As regards Uzbekistan, its representatives have announced they are not yet ready for signing the document, however, they are not going to hamper project implementation process either," CSTO Secretary General noted.
He also stressed that Belarus did not assume CSTO chairmanship because of Belarusian delegation's absence in organization's summit.
During the summit in June, Belarus was to have accepted CSTO chairmanship from Armenia. However, President Alexander Lukashenko did not attend the meeting, and Russia agreed to continue with technical chairmanship.
Bordyuzha also commented upon Belarus and Ukraine's not signing the agreement on the activity of Collective Rapid Reaction Forces.
"Belarus always approved of the project, and I believe there were just some technical reasons preventing it to sign the CRRF agreement. As regards Uzbekistan, its representatives have announced they are not yet ready for signing the document, however, they are not going to hamper project implementation process either," CSTO Secretary General noted.
He also stressed that Belarus did not assume CSTO chairmanship because of Belarusian delegation's absence in organization's summit.
During the summit in June, Belarus was to have accepted CSTO chairmanship from Armenia. However, President Alexander Lukashenko did not attend the meeting, and Russia agreed to continue with technical chairmanship.
