EMBASSY INFORMS
Question: How has CSTO been developing since 1992?
S.V. Lavrov: 20 years have passed since the Collective Security Treaty was signed. This year we also mark 10 years since the Collective Security Treaty Organization was formed. Since that time a lot has happened around this organization and inside it It has become mature It has developed from the structure deemed to support, inter alia, military assistance in case of a foreign intrusion against the Treaty member to a multi-functioning organization which provides necessary tools to counteract a wide range of threats. These are international terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime including cybercrime, repulse of illegal migration and emergency response, including natural and technological disasters. I think that the wide range of issues which the Organization solves speaks for itself. Moscow is concerned with the increasing incidence of misguided air strikes
of the Coalition Forces operating in the framework of the Enduring
Freedom operation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, resulting in
numerous civilian casualties. The problem of piracy off Somalia coast can only be resolved through
coordinated action on the ground and in the waters, as part of a
comprehensive anti-piracy strategy. Moscow’s principled position has
been confirmed by the Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN
Vitaly Churkin. On May 15, 2012 a reception was hosted by the Scottish Government to honour the veterans of the Arctic Convoys that brought supplies to Murmansk and Archangel during World War II.
The donations from private Russian business and Convoys veterans were presented then for the establishment of the Russian Arctic Convoys Museum in the North of Scotland, and the regional Government’s financial support to the project was announced. On 15-16 May 2012 the Kensington Town Hall hosted 53rd International Spring Fair. The Russian Embassy along with other members of London’s diplomatic community took part in this charity event. For technical reasons Russian Visa Application Centre in London will not be accepting visa applications for next day service effective 15 May 2012 until further notice. We are doing our best to resolve the problem as soon as possible. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused. An informal meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State was held at the Kremlin.Given the informal nature of the meeting, which did not have a set agenda, the heads of CIS member states exchanged views on key areas of the CIS activities and development and prospects for further broadening the multidimensional cooperation within the CIS framework. In particular, significant attention was given to deepening economic integration processes within the Commonwealth. The Presidential Press and Information Office’s Department of Accreditation and Briefings is now taking accreditation requests to cover the Russia-EU summit scheduled to be held in the first half of June 2012 in St Petersburg.Requests should be submitted using the media outlet’s official form and must include the following: An anniversary meeting of CSTO Collective Security Council dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Collective Security Treaty and 10th anniversary of CSTO took place at the Kremlin. The heads of CSTO member states adopted a Declaration following the summit.
Issues discussed at the meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council included the current international situation and further joint steps to counter global and regional challenges and threats to the security of CSTO members. The meeting participants also reviewed the main achievements of the CSTO during the decade of its existence. In recent days, the situation in Tripoli, the second largest city of Lebanon, has been uneasy.
Disturbances that started on 12 May 2012 have grown into armed clashes between inhabitants of Sunni and Alawi quarters of Bab al-Tibbaneh and Jabal Mohsen. According to Lebanese media, at least six people were killed, including one soldier, and more than 70 people, including women and children, were wounded. On the morning of 15 May, increased patrols were introduced in the city, doing everything possible to restore and maintain stability. The situation on the Palestinian track of the Middle East peace process remains difficult. Vigorous efforts by the international community are needed to prevent outbreaks of violence and confrontation, to restore the confidence of the parties - the Palestinians and Israelis - and, most importantly, to ensure progress towards the restoration of the peace process. Problems with observing human rights in the EU member-states have become the subject of parliamentary hearings in the Russian State Duma. On 14 May 2012, the Russian Ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko met with Lord Mayor of the City David Wootton at the Mansion House.They addressed the issues of further expansion of financial cooperation between the two countries in anticipation of the annual trip of Lord Mayor to Russia as head of a delegation of British businessmen and the third session of the Russian-British working group on establishment of the International Financial Center in Moscow, both due to take place in July. Recent media reports of contacts between the representatives of the Syrian opposition and the authorities of the so-called "Republic of Kosovo" have attracted a lot of attention. This does not only include "sharing experience" in organizing separatist movements aimed at overthrowing existing regimes, but also preparation of Syrian fighters in Kosovo with the use of areas that are similar to Syria in terms of landscape. It is not ruled out that training centers at the former bases of the “Kosovo Liberation Army” will be established.Such intentions cannot but cause concern.
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