The meeting was hosted by Russia, which holds the rotating CSTO presidency this year.

Thank you, Mr Putin.

Colleagues,

First of all, I would like to express gratitude to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for having organised our meeting.

I would also like to note Russia’s efforts to ensure the stable work of this Organisation in today’s difficult environment.

This year, the world has faced an unprecedented surge of challenges and threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global recession and socioeconomic problems. It has made a considerable impact on the habitual course of life, forcing all countries in the world to drastically revise their earlier plans and initiatives.

The social, financial, and economic crisis that followed in the wake of the pandemic has had a radical impact on the expected growth of the global economy and has led to higher unemployment, endangering food security.

At the same time, there is an upward trend when it comes to the threats of terrorism, extremism, various forms of radicalism and transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking. Various terrorist and extremist forces have not abandoned their destructive plans and remain active around the world, including in direct proximity to the CSTO zone of responsibility. In this context, we are looking with concern at the negative developments in Afghanistan, in particular, its north-eastern region.

All these circumstances call for a commensurate response, including by adopting the necessary measures to strengthen the CSTO’s southern borders.

Colleagues,

In light of the current tensions in the world and our region, it has become much more important to build up the CSTO capability to effectively resist security threats and challenges.

Following today’s meeting the CSTO chairmanship will go over to the Republic of Tajikistan. We will carry on the policy of strengthening our mutual efforts to ensure a safe and tranquil life for our nations. In this context, we have outlined a number of measures aimed at expanding the scope of goals and objectives to be addressed within the framework of the Organisation. Tajikistan hopes that its partners will support its efforts to implement them.

Given the current realities, I would like to emphasise the importance of the decisions adopted following our meeting today. They include critical issues and are designed to ensure collective security in the CSTO’s zone of responsibility. We are convinced that our concerted joint efforts to implement the entire range of our goals are a factor that will give a fresh impetus to and further invigorate the Organisation’s activities.

Thank you.