MOSCOW, 18 November (BelTA) - The problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced the level of international cooperation in security, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said at a meeting of secretaries of the security councils of CIS member states via a video link, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told BelTA.
Stanislav Zas said that there is a critical lack of trust and stability in the world. "This is one of the main features of our time," he said. “This comes at a time of heightened struggle for world resources and markets, dismantling of the international arms control system that has been established in recent decades, devaluing of international law and generally accepted rules. As a result, we are already seeing an increase in armed conflicts, mass illegal actions and manifestations of terrorism."
Stanislav Zas noted that the dynamics of the situation in the CSTO region of collective security calls for the continuous development of mechanisms of interstate cooperation in countering modern challenges and threats."The problems caused by the pandemic, which have affected international cooperation in security, have ultimately had an negative impact on the effectiveness of measures to counter today's challenges and threats, including terrorism," he said. The worsening economic performance and declining living standards of millions of people across the globe due to quarantine measures are creating additional recruitment opportunities, with the use of various modern information and communication technologies,” he said.
The CSTO secretary general stressed that the blurring of the boundaries between physical space and virtual reality, the increasing use of artificial intelligence technology have led to the emergence of new cyber-threats that affect the security and safety of people, the society and the state. In his words, the digitization of public administration, business and private life amid the pandemic has caused a noticeable increase in cybercrime.
Stanislav Zas supported the idea of synchronizing anti-terrorist measures within the CIS, CSTO and the SCO. The idea was voiced by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov at a meeting of the CSTO Ministerial Council in May. “We are currently collecting proposals to fill this process with practical content,” said the CSTO secretary general.
Stanislav Zas added that in the current conditions the CSTO focuses on improving collective security mechanisms, taking into account current realities and the projected developments in the world. He expressed confidence that the meeting of CIS security council secretaries would make a significant contribution to the strengthening of security in the Eurasian region.
