Opinions & Interviews

Zas reveals priorities of Belarus’ presidency in CSTO in 2023

MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas told Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko about Belarus’ priorities during its CSTO presidency in 2023, BelTA has learned.

Next year Belarus will take over presidency in the CSTO, and the work on priority areas of activity is already at the final stage. “The head of state has a simple and clear demand, as usual: priorities should not be abstract, far-fetched. They should be relevant and in sync with the organization’s agenda. We are getting involved and together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other interested parties we will participate in the development of the priorities of the work of the Republic of Belarus for the next year - the year of the country’s chairmanship in the CSTO,” he noted.

According to Stanislav Zas, the main topic of the meeting with the Belarusian head of state was the situation in the CSTO area of responsibility. “This also applies to the Caucasus region. I informed the head of state in more detail about the findings of the CSTO mission that was sent to Armenia on behalf of the Collective Security Council,” he said. A reminder, at the extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on 28 October, the heads of state of the CSTO countries discussed proposals based on the findings of the mission. “The conversation is not over, now these proposals are being finalized. This topic will be discussed further, including at the upcoming CSTO summit,” the CSTO secretary general added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Stanislav Zas also touched upon the situation on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and discussed what the CSTO can undertake to stabilize the situation and facilitate the peace process. Stanislav Zas briefed the president on the developments on the border between these countries in September 2022, and on the current state of affairs, including taking into account his visit to these states.

The difficult situation in Eastern Europe was also discussed.

All these important topics were raised in light of preparations for the upcoming summit of the CSTO heads of state scheduled for 20 November.

The CSTO secretary general thanked the Belarusian president for a long, frank conversation. “I must say that such a straightforward, candid and frank approach was also demonstrated during the summit of the heads of state that took place last week [the extraordinary session of the CSTO Collective Security Council on 28 October] and, I think, it was duly appreciated,” added Stanislav Zas.

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