国际英语新闻:Russia urges coordinated actions with CSTO allies to ensure security

MOSCOW, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The global security system has been deformed amid complicated mix of new and old threats, requiring coordinated actions taken by Russia and its allies, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

At a meeting of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Putin pointed to the urgent need of joint efforts to protect outer borders of the CSTO countries, and to deal with problems brought by terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, as well as natural and man-made disasters.

The major threat to CSTO countries is the rise of the Islamic State and the security situation in Afghanistan, Putin said.

"Terrorists and extremists of the Islamic State have already been attempting to include some provinces of Afghanistan into its so-called 'Islamic caliphate' ... and trying to expand their activities to Central Asia," Kremlin press service quoted Putin as saying.

The meeting highlighted the possible destabilizing factor of individuals returning to CSTO territories after fighting for international terrorist organizations.

The CSTO must be ready for preventive measures and closer cooperation with Afghanistan in particular, while more attention should be paid to the security situation at Tajik-Afghan border, Putin said.

A joint statement released after the meeting also urged strengthening of international cooperation and constructive compromises in order to repel security challenges and threats.

"With coordination work based on common consolidated positions, we could further contribute to the security and sustainable development of the entire region," Putin said, praising the CSTO as an authoritative, experienced and effective regional structure.

Putin further specified that Russia's newest heavy-class Angara rockets are tasked with sending military and dual-purpose satellites into orbit, which would enhance defense capability of Russia and its security partners.

Earlier Tuesday, Russia successfully carried out the first test launch of a newest heavy-class Angara A5 rocket.

Meanwhile, Putin said the newly-built Russian national defense center could also work for the CSTO countries to enhance coordination and improve their national defense command and control systems.

A range of documents was signed Tuesday at the CSTO meeting on collective air forces, anti drug-trafficking strategies and emergency response collective mechanism.

The Russia-led CSTO is a security group which also comprises Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.