CSTO summit opens in Minsk; Armenia absent

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit
has opened in the Independence Palace in Minsk. Belarusian President Alexander
Lukashenko welcomed the leaders of the countries attending the summit, namely
the presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, Belarusian
BELTA reports.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is the only leader
among the member state leaders who is not present at the summit. The decision
not to attend was announced earlier. 

A number of issues are on the agenda for the summit, namely
important issues concerning international and regional security. The leaders
are expected to summarize the results of the CSTO activities. 

The leaders of the countries are expected to sign the CSTO
Collective Security Council Declaration. A number of documents will be signed,
relating to the development of the CSTO crisis response mechanisms, the
activities of the organization’s unified press agency, the creation of the
“Together toward Peace” medal, and the CSTO budget.