Putin thanked Nazarbayev for efficient work in CSTO

Presidents of Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan discussed the most challenging issues in the CSTO area of responsibility. Special attention was paid to the situation in Afghanistan and measures to counter threats coming from this country. The leaders summed up the results of the CSTO work in 2012 and mapped out main goals for 2013.
Opening the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked President Nazarbayev for the efficient work during the chairmanship of the CSTO.
In turn, the President of Kazakhstan thanked all member states of the Organization for the active participation and assistance in the implementation of the priority tasks outlined by Kazakhstan.
Following the meeting, there were signed documents on the development of the military component, forming a system of collective response to emergency situations. The heads of state signed the Protocol amending the Agreement on mutual protection of classified information in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty of June 18, 2004, and made a number of other decisions.
In accordance with the procedures of the Organization, the CSTO presidency has been passed to the Kyrgyz Republic.
The next meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization will be held next May in Bishkek.