DUSHANBE, October 3, Asia-Plus  -- “I think formation of peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is one of important issues for participants at a session of the CSTO Collective Security Council that will be held in Dushanbe,” First Deputy Tajik Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Ramil Nadriov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.  

The deputy minister noted that formation of such contingent will allow participating in peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations not only in the territories of the CST) member nations (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).  “The CSTO peacekeepers will participate in peacekeeping operations throughout the world, representing each state taken not separately but in coalition,” the general said, adding that complete package of documents on formation of the CSTO peacekeeping forces had already been concerted.  

It is to be noted the CSTO officials have actively discussed the issue of forming the CSTO own peacekeeping forces since 2006.  They, in particular, noted that the CSTO should be able to provide a quick and adequate response to all kinds of threats, not only military     

The CSTO secretary general Nikolai Bordyuzha said in May 2006  that the CSTO, founded in 2002, would form its own peacekeeping forces, collective forces to tackle emergency situations, and a number of auxiliary bodies to combat extremism and illegal migration.  Bordyuzha said it would be transformed "from a military-political organization into an organization that can promptly and effectively respond to modern threats and challenges."

The Collective Security Council session that will be held in the Tajik capital Saturday afternoon is expected to consider more than 20 issues.  The session participants will consider draft resolutions on establishment of coordination councils for fighting illegal migration and responding to emergency situations, draft protocol on a mechanisms of providing military-technical assistance to member nations of the CSTO in the case of threat of aggression, as well as plan of re-equipment of the Rapid Deployment Force, etc.