Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 4 / Trend , E.Tariverdiyeva/
The rapid reaction forces established under the auspices of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) are not aimed against the interests of Azerbaijan, Russian Permanent Representative to NATO Dimitry Rogozin said in a telephone conversation from Brussels on Feb. 4.
"We have always seen Azerbaijan as a close partner. Our interests are closely intertwined. Russia will never act against the Azerbaijani interests. Increasing the CSTO's military capacity is not aimed at weakening Azerbaijan or creating problems for the country," he said.
Today's meeting between CSTO member-nations in Moscow ended with the establishment of the so-called Collective Rapid Reaction Forces to respond to threats that may arise from Belarus to Tajikistan.
The so-called Collective Rapid Reaction Forces are expected to be in a perpetual state of emergency preparedness and will resist military aggression, terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking.
Rogozin said the forces will resist genuine enemies, such as extremist groups in Afghanistan and neighboring areas in Pakistan.
"We have never viewed Azerbaijan as a goal for military actions by Russia or CSTO allies," he said.
The CSTO is an organization with an open-door policy. If Azerbaijan feels a threat, even a virtual one, the country can negotiate with the CSTO to ensure its security, Rogozin added.
"I will do my utmost to make Azerbaijan feel a calm, helping hand from Russia," he said.
The Collective Security Treaty Organization is a military and political union in the CIS established by former Soviet republics on the basis of the Collective Security Treaty signed on May 15, 1992. Member-nations are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
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