Statement of the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Mr.Nikolay BORDYUZHA at the 13-th Meeting of OSCE Ministerial Council

First of all I would like to express my gratitude to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for the invitation to attend the 13-th Meeting of OSCE Ministerial Council.

The CSTO member states consider the OSCE as one of the components of contemporary architecture of European security. They are in favor of active employment of OSCE capacities in all fields of its activities and its adaptation to modern challenges and realities.

The CSTO is in favor of more effective international steps to counter terrorism, organized crime and trafficking in human beings. Positive job is done by Action against Terrorism Unit with which we maintain close contacts.

We propose to consolidate international efforts to combat drugs trafficking. The six members of the CSTO and the Republic of Uzbekistan proposed for consideration at this OSCE Ministerial Meeting "Draft Decision on Combating the Threat of Illicit Drugs".

One of the most important targets of our common efforts is to prevent the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction which obtained new dimension and now challenges global peace and international security.

It is important that we continue paying special attention to the threats arising from concentration in Europe of significant military forces and military capabilities. We advocate the soonest entering into force of the adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty.

OSCE`s Forum for Security Cooperation provides appropriate framework for a dialogue in political and military fields. We support the decision to convene High Level Military Doctrine Seminar (Vienna, 14-15 February 2006) and we are planning to participate in it.

Efforts to improve the OSCE monitoring mechanisms deserve support. The CSTO member states exposed their considerations in the document titled "Food for Thought on Further Development of Election Monitoring and Assessment". We hope that they will be converted into a practical decision.

We expect that decisions which will be adopted at the 13-th OSCE Ministerial Meeting will help to pave the way to strengthening stability and security in Europe and in the world at large.

On its part Collective Security Treaty Organization is ready for fruitful cooperation with the OSCE and with other international and regional organizations in order to achieve these goals.

We highly appreciate the hospitality of the Republic of Slovenia which organized this Meeting.

Thank You.