Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 9 / Trend , A.Huseyinbala /
Azerbaijani opposition party opposed the creation of the contingent of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
"Russia still attempts to resume its leading position in the post Soviet countries," the Musavat opposition party said on Feb. 9.
The meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministries of CSTO participating countries was held with attendance of Council of Defence Ministers and Committee of Secretaries in Moscow last week. The issue to create collective forces of operative response was reviewed at the meeting. An agreement was signed on the issue.
The CSTO is a military and political union of seven countries (Armenia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) was established on the basis of Treaty on Collective Security (TCS) on May 15, 1992. The TCS was transferred to an international organization on May 14, 2002. The CSTO received the observer status in the UN General Assembly on Dec. 2, 2004. Azerbaijan is not the member of the organization.
The creation of a single military contingent of the CSTO participating countries is not a threat to Azerbaijan, said head of the Department of international relations of the Azerbaijani Presidential Executive Administration Novruz Mammadov.
The decision on the establishment of operational contingent of the CSTO reiterates these attempts of Russia, Musavat said. "Russia's attempt to create a military alliance at its own expenses, despite the deepening economic crisis in the country, shows once again that this country does not tolerate the status of a regional force, and once again claim to be extremely effective. This step of Russia poses to a dangerous situation in Azerbaijan," the document says.
The opposition party believes that if the operational contingent is created, there is a possibility that part of it will be deployed in Armenia. "In these circumstances it is impossible not to see that Russia armed Armenia from top to toe, and preparing a surprise for Azerbaijan," says the statement.
The document says that under present conditions the most important step in Azerbaijan may become a treatment for membership in NATO. "There is a need for even greater expansion of strategic cooperation with the U.S. From this point of view is very useful will be the rate on the unique integration into Euro-Atlantic space," the opposition party said.
The Musavat was founded in 1991. The third (restoration0 meeting of the party was held in the Republic Palace on Nov. 7, 1992. Isa Gambar was elected the chairman of Musavat through secret voting.
.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]
...