MOSCOW, 15 September (BelTA) – Foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states have adopted a joint statement “On reaffirming commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and to strengthening cooperation to ensure their unconditional observance”. This document was signed at a joint meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council, the Defense Ministers Council, and the Committee of Security Council Secretaries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization that took place in Dushanbe on 15 September, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said following the meeting, CSTO Press Secretary Vladimir Zainetdinov told BelTA.
“This document reads that the principles of international law are the basis of equitable international relations. The CSTO member states resolutely reject unilateral interpretation and selective application of the principles of international law, and also assert that the UN Security Council bears the prime responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The CSTO member states believe that all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in violation of the UN Charter. The CSTO member states also believe that the efforts to strengthen peace, international and regional security should rely on political tools, first and foremost. The CSTO is seriously concerned by continuing incidents of imposing unilateral coercive measures in defiance of international law, including economic measures (sanctions), which inter alia hinder the efforts of the most vulnerable countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic and overcome its socio-economic repercussions. The CSTO members reiterate their support for the call of the United Nations secretary-general to suspend such restrictions,” the CSTO secretary general said.
The foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization adopted a statement on collective efforts to resolve the crisis in the Middle East and North Africa. The document expresses concern over the ongoing conflicts and crises in the Middle East and North Africa, which remain a source of challenges and threats to regional and international stability and security, including for the CSTO member states.
The foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization adopted a statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the CIS and the 20th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The foreign ministers positively assessed the activities of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, emphasized the relevance of the Treaty establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Alma-Ata Protocols signed 30 years ago that formalized the principles of equitable political dialogue, mutual trust, consideration of each other's interests and recognition of the right of the participating states to choose their own development model.
“We also state that 20 years after its founding, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization plays an important role in the modern system of international relations. It makes an increasing contribution to peace and security and settlement of international and regional conflicts proceeding from the goals and principles enshrined in the UN Charter,” the document reads.
In addition to that, the foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization signed a statement on coordination of joint efforts in the field of information security, including joint response to the use of information and communication technology for terrorist and other criminal purposes. The joint statement of the CSTO member states “On the situation in Afghanistan” was adopted at a meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council, the Defense Ministers Council, and the Committee of Security Council Secretaries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
