From July 7 to 9, second staff talks were held in the Russian Federation on the organization and conduct of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) command-and-staff exercise “Interaction-2026”, the special reconnaissance exercise “Poisk-2026”, and the logistics support exercise “Echelon-2026”.
In accordance with the 2026 Action Plan of the Coordinating Council of Heads of the Competent Authorities for Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking of the CSTO Member States, and as part of the Russian Federation's priorities during its 2026 CSTO Chairmanship, the sub-regional counter-narcotics operation “Kanal – Amber Coast” was conducted from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The operation was aimed at disrupting trafficking routes for narcotic drugs, their precursors and analogues, new psychoactive substances, and potent substances into the CSTO area of responsibility, neutralizing international transnational drug trafficking groups, dismantling clandestine drug production facilities, undermining the economic foundations of the drug trade, including the laundering of drug proceeds.
The 12th Southern Information Security Forum “Infoforum Sochi 2026” is taking place in Sochi, Russia, from June 30 to July 3. On July 1, the Forum's plenary session brought together representatives of federal and regional authorities, regulatory bodies, leading companies, and international organizations to discuss current challenges in the protection of critical infrastructure, the development of artificial intelligence, and international cooperation.
On June 30 – July 1, 2026, Saint Petersburg hosted a series of events chaired by Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, with the participation of heads of the competent authorities of the CSTO member states responsible for emergency prevention and response.
From June 24 to 26, 2026, CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov paid a working visit to the Republic of Tajikistan at the personal invitation of President Emomali Rahmon.
Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and CSTO Secretary General held a meeting in Yerevan, during which they discussed the contribution of Armenia to the development of the Organization and issues of regional and international security
28.02.2020
February 28 this year In Yerevan, a meeting was held between Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Stanislav Zas and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, during which the parties discussed Armenia’s contribution to the development of the Organization, foreign policy coordination of the CSTO, as well as the problems of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Foreign Minister Mr. Mnatsakanyan congratulated Stanislav Zasy on his appointment as CSTO Secretary General and expressed hope that he would contribute to the achievement of the common goals set for the Organization.
The interlocutors exchanged views on cooperation within the Organization. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, emphasizing the important role of the CSTO in the security system of Armenia, noted that close cooperation between the member states of the Organization is vital to improve the effectiveness of the CSTO.
According to Stanislav Zasy, the Republic of Armenia makes a significant contribution to the activities of the CSTO. “Armenia has an active position, taking a constructive and business-like approach to all issues related to strengthening our Organization,” the CSTO Secretary General told media representatives at the end of the meeting. He noted that the positive mood of Yerevan is noticeable in all directions.
"In Yerevan, I held a series of meetings in the Ministry of Defense, in parliament, the conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs has just ended. Armenia is working effectively and constructively in all these areas," the CSTO Secretary General emphasized. According to him, Armenia is seriously represented in the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly. The agreements adopted within the framework of the CSTO are ratified by Armenia without delay. From his point of view, the legislative system is built quite flexible.
"The same applies to the Ministry of Defense. One telling fact: this year we have planned 7 trainings of the Collective Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, two of which will be held in Armenia, including the largest - training with the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces "Interaction - 2020" ("Vzaimodeystvie 2020"). Armenia by tradition, it takes this form of troop training very seriously, " said Stanislav Zas. He is sure that Yerevan will adequately cope with all organizational and technical issues.
“With regard to the issue of differences in approaches to various sensitive issues for a particular country, for example, the Karabakh conflict or relations with Azerbaijan, according to Mr. Zas, the countries in the CSTO are different, each of them has its own independent foreign policy. But the task of states is to find opportunities to reach consensus on all issues related to the security of the region, ”said the CSTO Secretary General. He expressed confidence that if necessary it will work out.
Stanislav Zas also said that the problem of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is constantly in the field of view of the CSTO. “We have already built a good system of informing Armenia of all other states on this issue. If necessary, the CSTO expresses its position on the conflict, more than once, "he said. According to him, the CSTO stands for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and sees only a political way to solve the problem. Within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs relying on norms and principles international law, the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.
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The CSTO Press Secretary Vladimir Zaynetdinov
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