BISHKEK. Nov 16 (Interfax) - The head of the Kyrgyz General Staff believes the Kyrgyz military are ready to take part in peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), but says that the parliament needs to pass several laws on sending units abroad.
"The Kyrgyz Armed Forces are ready to participate in peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the CSTO outside the republic if such a need arises," Zhenishbek Kaparov, the head of the Kyrgyz General Staff, told Interfax on Friday.
He said events aimed at increasing the combat ability of the army, including in possible peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the CSTO, has recently been conducted in the republic. "We believe we are ready and we can take part in such operations if need be. If the president gives an appropriate command, we are ready to send our guys outside the republic, where we are ordered to," he said.
At the same time, Kaparov said that some Kyrgyz laws have to be changed in order for Kyrgyz military contingents to participate in peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the CSTO outside the republic. A package of bills giving "the Kyrgyz Armed Forces permission to participate in operations outside the republic" will be submitted to the parliament in the nearest future, he said.
The CSTO comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.