Russian MFA Warns NATO that South Caucasus is CSTO Responsibility Zone

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) warns NATO member states that Central Asia and South Caucasus are a zone of responsibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), stated Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin. «No matter how much someone in the NATO wishes to shut their eyes to the CSTO and the Organization role in regional processes, the question is decided beforehand. The CSTO is a reality and a serious one irrespective of whether someone likes it or not,» Karasin remarked. In his words, the NATO has stated it is interested in Central Asia and South Caucasus. «No one is denying that the NATO can have certain interests in the Central Asia. However, the difference between the zone of interest and zone of responsibility is quite understandable,” the Russian diplomat underscored. Moscow “welcomes NATO working for making its contribution to struggle against the threat of terrorism and illegal turnover of drugs in Central Asia.” However, Russia considers that “Brussels should clearly understand that the NATO can hardly make an actual contribution to the solution of a number of issues in the regions without close cooperation with the CSTO,» reported RIA Novosti.