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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, let me once again welcome you here in the Kremlin, now in a more expanded format.

My colleagues and I have already started our work and held a private exchange.

Before I give the floor to the new CSTO Chairman, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, I would like to inform you of a very important and positive event for Russia, and consequently, for all CSTO members-states. During the past 10 years, we have been working on the development and launch of the Angara A5 heavy-class carrier rocket, and today we had its first successful test launch. The rocket is designed to take loads of up to 24.5 tonnes to low circular orbits, up to 7 tonnes to elliptic orbits, and up to 3.4 tonnes to geostationary orbits. This very important part of the programme has been completed. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the rocket will not only be used for the benefit of the economy, but for strengthening Russia’s defence capability as well, which means defence capability of all the CSTO member-states. I am referring here to missile attack warning, reconnaissance, navigation communication and signal relay. This is one thing.

The other is that all of us here have recently visited the Russian Defence Ministry to take part in the exercises we organised. I would like to inform you that Russia has opened a new National Defence Management Centre of the Russian Federation. Everything has been done using solely Russian technologies, with powerful computer support unrivalled in the world so far, and today the Secretary of our organisation has mentioned that all CSTO states will be involved in this defence management centre. I am confident that this will enhance governance of national defence systems and troops and will improve our coordination.

Thank you for your attention.

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