Russia supports the transformation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) from a military-political organization to a multifunctional regional unit, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

Lavrov said the structure should efficiently counter a wide range of modern challenges and threats, and protect member states' interests in the international arena.

Lavrov made the remarks when presenting Nikolai Bordyuzha, the CSTO secretary general, with a Foreign Ministry's award "for contributions to the international cooperation."

Representatives of Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also received the award for their active and fruitful work to develop and strengthen military-political cooperation within the CSTO.

Founded in May 2002, the CSTO is a military alliance grouping Russia and six other Commonwealth of Independent States countries.