DUSHANBE, February 15, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Russia’s radio station, Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow), reported on February 14 that Mr. James Appaturay, NATO official representative, noted that NATO will not collaborate with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in whole.

According to him, that is enough to have bilateral relations with member nations of the Organization.  “Member nations and allies of NATO have very good relations with all member nations of CSTO.  In my opinion, cooperation with separate member nations of this organization is quite efficient,” Mr. Appaturay was quoted as saying.

Earlier, Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin has stated that NATO does not want to collaborate with CSTO in Afghanistan, though “recognition of the organization in this country would be recognition of the sphere of influence of influence of Russia in the Central Asian region.”