CSTO FMs sign joint declaration on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement

The CSTO foreign ministers signed a declaration which reflects the approaches to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and the situation around the Iranian nuclear programme, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after a meeting in Bishkek on Monday, RIA Novosti news agency reported today.

"The foreign ministers signed a declaration on key international affairs which reflects approaches to the Syrian crisis, the state of affairs in the Iranian nuclear programme, the situation around Afghanistan, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and other urgent issues," the Minister said.

He added that the task of strengthening the collective security mechanisms and the development of peacekeeping under the collective rapid reaction forces were considered at a joint meeting of foreign and defence ministers and secretaries of security councils.

Lavrov added that the plan of consultations in the field of foreign policy, security and defence for the second half of 2013 and the first half of 2014 were also signed.