A meeting of the CSTO Ministerial Council opened in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

Opening the meeting, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik expressed the hope that it would be held in a fruitful, constructive and trusting atmosphere.

Before the meeting, the foreign ministers met with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. "You have received a first-hand assessment of the current military and political situation, the geopolitical situation, Belarus' approaches to cooperation in the CSTO, the need to increase cohesion and solidarity in our organization. We have really taken a very serious approach to our chairmanship in the CSTO," Sergei Aleinik said.

He noted that 22 June will mark the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War. "It was our common tragedy that we overcame only because we were together. We have one common victory, which cannot be divided into parts and which cannot be taken away from us," the minister said.

During the meeting, the ministers are set to analyze the trends in the development of the international situation and to discuss ways of strengthening security in the CSTO and promoting cooperation with other organizations and third countries.