Russia & security partners agree on South Ossetia

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member countries have supported Russia's stance on the events in the Caucasus, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He was speaking at a media briefing after the

“We will act together in international organisations that may touch upon this subject,” Lavrov said.

The Russian Foreign Minister has added Russia is satisfied with the common statement which follows the meeting.

“It denounces the military actions taken by Georgia against South Ossetia and stresses the necessity to avoid such situations in the future,” Lavrov said.

“The statement highlights the key points, has all the necessary verifications, including condemnation of Georgia's military actions against South Ossetia. It stresses the need to do the best in order not to admit similar attempts at using force for solving conflicts and evaluates events in the conflict zone. It condemns the policy of double standards and admits the dangers in the conflict zone,” he added.

To watch the media briefing, please follow the link

The CSTO foreign ministers have also agreed to jointly work out a European Security Treaty following a proposal by Moscow.

They have approved a consultation plan on foreign policy, security and defence. It will be discussed by the leaders of the CSTO member states at a meeting in Moscow on Friday.

The ministers have also pledged to step up efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking.

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation includes Russia and six of its neighbouring countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The alliance was formed in the early 1990s to provide security in the post-Soviet area.