(VOVworld) – NATO-CSTO cooperation in Afghanistan will help stabilize this country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the Government Hour at the Federation Council on Wednesday. Lavrov noted that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) give much attention to the situation in Afghanistan, from where the NATO force is supposed to depart in 2014.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo: internet

He added that the process of chemical weapon destruction in Syria under international supervision is on schedule. He said the fight against terrorism threats in Syria and the Middle East will top the agenda of the International conference Geneva 2 to deal with the Syrian crisis.
Regarding the Iranian nuclear issues, Lavrov said Russia and its partners will seek a solution for involved parties with the aim of avoiding the use of force. He acknowledged positive developments of the P5+1 talks on Iran’s nuclear issues. About US-Russian relations, Lavrov admitted to remaining tensions between the two countries, particularly over the missile defense shield issues.