CSTO member states strongly condemn terrorism and extremism in all their forms

Member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) believe it is unacceptable for countries to use terrorist organizations to their own advantage, the CSTO Collective Security Council said in a declaration approved on Thursday following its meeting in Dushanbe.

 

“The CSTO member states strongly condemn terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations and believe it is unacceptable for states to use terrorist and extremist organizations that have links to them as tools for pursuing their own political and geopolitical interests. In order to raise the effectiveness of countering terrorist and extremist threats, [they] highlight the importance of cooperation at the bilateral, regional and global levels with the core and coordinating role of the UN,” reads the declaration posted on the organization’s website.

 

Moreover, the CSTO member states reaffirm the ongoing contribution of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to maintaining global security. 

 

“The CSTO countries support the nuclear non-proliferation agreement and reaffirm the NPT’s continued value since it is an essential factor in maintaining international security,” the statement reads.

 

According to the declaration, “the CSTO countries will continue joint efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space.” “Considering this, they confirm the urgent need to develop a legally binding instrument based on the Russian-Chinese Draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects as well as the Statement on No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, in which all CSTO countries are fully-fledged participants,” the document indicates.

 

Furthermore, (CSTO) expressed concern about the high level of security threats in the organization’s area of responsibility. 

 

According to the document, “CSTO member states condemn the practice of unilateral coercive restrictions imposed by certain countries and/or groups of countries, which undermine the prerogatives of the United Nations Security Council and constitute blatant interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states.”

 

CSTO countries also reaffirmed their unity amid rising global tensions. “In the current difficult situation, marked by an increasing competition between countries, rising global tensions and narrowing room for constructive cooperation in resolving both traditional and new challenges and threats, CSTO member states reaffirm their unity and determination to consistently work to ensure global and regional security and fair solutions to global issues based on universally recognized norms and principles of international law,” the declaration said.

 

As for defense cooperation, CSTO countries intend to pay special attention to establishing cooperative links between defense industries and implementing the plan to provide the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces with advanced weapons and equipment. “At the same time, CSTO member states confirm that military and political cooperation within the CSTO is not aimed against third countries and other international organizations but is solely in the interest of ensuring the security of the organization’s members,” the document stressed, according to TASS. 

 

The meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council chaired by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon was held on Thursday. The leaders of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the organization’s secretary general gathered at the Palace of Nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the event online. The heads of state signed a number of documents, including a declaration of the CSTO Collective Security Council and an agreement on legal assistance in cases related to the temporary presence of collective security forces in CSTO member states.

 

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour