MOSCOW, 18 October (BelTA) - The CSTO actively supports international initiatives to strengthen border security to combat terrorism by stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters across borders, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said at a high-level conference "International and regional border security and management cooperation to counter terrorism and prevent the movement of terrorists" in Dushanbe on 18 October, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told BelTA.
"We are satisfied with the level of cooperation in this area with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the UN Counter-Terrorism Center and the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) within the framework of the Border Security and Management Program and the project ‘Towards the joint plan of action' implemented in accordance with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia," Stanislav Zas said.
In terms of interaction and information exchange, the CSTO sees the potential for developing cooperation between the organization and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, the CIS Anti-Terrorist Center and the CIS council of commanders of border troops in order to collectively counter the threats of terrorism in Central Asia.
“I would like to note that in order to counter terrorist threats, the CSTO has developed and continues to improve a system of collective security, including military and special operational and preventive measures and mechanisms. Joint exercises and operations check the readiness of the Collective Rapid Response Forces, and also special structures of the member states of the organization,” the CSTO secretary general stated.
In his words, the consolidation of efforts to ensure collective security is a priority task for the CSTO. “At the same time, noting the dramatically changed situation in Afghanistan, which has led to potential border problems, we clearly understand that the security of the region as a whole depends on preventing terrorists from crossing borders,” Stanislav Zas said.
He expressed confidence that the outcome of the conference would be a positive contribution to the common cause. “We welcome the adoption of the Dushanbe declaration on cooperation in border security and management to counter terrorism and prevent terrorist movement,” Stanislav Zas said.
