CSTO Foreign Ministers express support for Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

CSTO Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement in Bishkek on 27 May, BelTA learned.

The Foreign Ministers of the CSTO member countries advocate the strengthening of multilateral mechanisms for disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control, the statement reads. The Ministers also endorse the establishment of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. In addition, they look forward to substantive progress in the matter of signing of the Protocol to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone by all members of the nuclear five.

The Ministers also welcome the readiness of Russia and China to provide security assurances through the signing of a protocol to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, without imposing additional requirements. The Foreign Ministers welcome the readiness of the United Kingdom, the United States and France for a substantive discussion of the matter with the CSTO member states.

The statement also reaffirms the unconditional support for the international regimes banning biological, toxin and chemical weapons. The Foreign Ministers view these regimes as integral elements of the reliable and effective system of international security.

Striving to keep outer space free of weapons, the Ministers once again drew the world's attention to the need for adherence to the first initiative on the non-deployment of weapons in outer space.

The CSTO countries support the strengthening of the central role of the UN in international affairs. The CSTO member states are ready to enhance the coordination of approaches in cooperation within the United Nations.