MOSCOW: The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which is led by Russia, has resolved to plan ahead for security issues that are likely to arise as a result of the Ukraine crisis.

Foreign ministers from the CSTO member countries of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Armenia - which currently chairs the organisation - met in Yerevan on Friday to discuss the state of international and regional security, as well as its impact on regional security, particularly in Central Asia.

The participants in the Ministerial Council meeting, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, were welcomed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is also the Chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

As the CSTO commemorates the 30th anniversary of the signing of the collective security treaty and the 20th anniversary of its founding, Pashinyan stated that it was not only an opportunity to reflect on the path taken to highlight successes, but also to discuss inadequacies.

Lavrov, in particular, stressed the importance of "special attention" being paid to the coordination of foreign policy views on international forums, as well as combined speeches and declarations on critical international issues. The Russian Foreign Minister also emphasised the importance of starting the work of the CSTO's Coordination Council of Authorized Bodies on Biological Safety Issues as soon as possible.

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