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The military-political cooperation within the framework of the CSTO is important for Belarus, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a session Lukashenko. As Belta agency reported, the Belarus president, however, described the situation within the military-political bloc unhealthy.

“Today this is the most important area where we should focus our efforts because of the politico-military trends in the world, especially after the two major nuclear powers withdrew from the INF Treaty. In view of the global developments the importance of this organization is of no doubt. But now the organization is caught in some unhealthy situation. Take, for example, the routine issue of appointment of the secretary general,” the Belarusian leader said.

To remind, the CSTO Collective Security Council relieved Armenia’s Yuri Khachaturov of his duties as the organization’s secretary general in November at the initiative of official Yerevan, following charges brought by Armenian Special Investigative Service against Khachaturov with overthrowing the constitutional order in 2008. Armenia earlier insisted on keeping the top CSTO post until 2020, however, the some CSTO members stated, it would be inappropriate to give up the post again to Armenia.

In late December, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a draft decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council on the appointment of Stanislav Zas as CSTO secretary general.
The Belarusian candidature was already approved by Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Russia. Difficulties in the matter remain with Armenia that is reluctant to approve the candidacy.