26.10.2011
Lukashenko suggests considering Uzbekistan’s membership in CSTO
MINSK, 26 October (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko suggests considering Uzbekistan’s accession to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The Belarusian President made this statement at a session of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Council, BelTA has learnt.
Addressing the MPs, Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence that “all the countries that are now members of the EurAsEC will join the CSTO, without exception”.
“Even Uzbekistan that today has a specific stance will eventually understand that it will find it hard to preserve independence without the CSTO,” the President of Belarus said. He emphasized that the accession is a domestic matter of Uzbekistan and “we are not interfering”. “Although I have recently shared my thoughts with the President of Russia. We need to make a decision on Uzbekistan. Because Uzbekistan cannot join the CSTO as long as it is playing this triple game,” Alexander Lukashenko is convinced. After all, Uzbekistan has not ratified a single significant document of the CSTO yet, it only formally stated that it is allegedly returning to the CSTO.
Alexander Lukashenko asked the MPs to consider Uzbekistan’s participation in the CSTO and adopt certain decisions. “It is extremely important for us. It is a serious matter. The world is instable and we need to make certain unambiguous decisions without hurting anyone,” the head of state said. In his words, nobody “is pushing” Uzbekistan or another country out of the CSTO. However, the Belarusian President added, “If you want to cooperate with us, please stick to the rules we have in the CSTO, the rules we all have adopted”.
Addressing the MPs, Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence that “all the countries that are now members of the EurAsEC will join the CSTO, without exception”.
“Even Uzbekistan that today has a specific stance will eventually understand that it will find it hard to preserve independence without the CSTO,” the President of Belarus said. He emphasized that the accession is a domestic matter of Uzbekistan and “we are not interfering”. “Although I have recently shared my thoughts with the President of Russia. We need to make a decision on Uzbekistan. Because Uzbekistan cannot join the CSTO as long as it is playing this triple game,” Alexander Lukashenko is convinced. After all, Uzbekistan has not ratified a single significant document of the CSTO yet, it only formally stated that it is allegedly returning to the CSTO.
Alexander Lukashenko asked the MPs to consider Uzbekistan’s participation in the CSTO and adopt certain decisions. “It is extremely important for us. It is a serious matter. The world is instable and we need to make certain unambiguous decisions without hurting anyone,” the head of state said. In his words, nobody “is pushing” Uzbekistan or another country out of the CSTO. However, the Belarusian President added, “If you want to cooperate with us, please stick to the rules we have in the CSTO, the rules we all have adopted”.