According to Mr. Yakovenko, strengthening of cooperation between CSTO member states in the post-conflict settlement in Afghanistan was also discussed.
"A thorough exchange of opinions took place in Astana on issues pertaining to the situation in CSTO's zone of responsibility," Mr. Yakovenko said.
He noted that the foreign ministers discussed the progress of the implementation of decisions made at the Dushanbe session (2003) of the Collective Security Council, and the priority trends of the CSTO activity in 2004-2005.
"The defense ministers discussed the improvement of the military component of the organization, and the work of the CSTO's headquarters," Mr. Yakovenko told RIA Novosti.
"The sides considered the further development of the collective rapid deployment forces in the Central Asian region of collective security," he said.
"The foreign and defense ministers, and Security Council secretaries approved draft documents aimed at the further strengthening of and organizational and financial support for the CSTO activity," he said. "These draft documents will be submitted on Friday for consideration at the session of the Collective Security Council [the meeting of heads of state].
"The draft statement of the Collective Security Council which reflects the approaches of the organization's member states to the key issues of ensuring world peace and stability was approved."
