CSTO Ministerial Council considers biological security measures

“The coronavirus infection has become a serious test that affects the entire system of international relations and has become a challenge for each state and international structures,” said Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, who chaired the meeting. “We have to carefully analyze what conclusions should be drawn with regard to the activities of our organization. It is clear that there is a need for the CSTO potential to respond to such threats in the interests of health and wellbeing of people of our countries. Therefore, we have proposed today to consider priority measures to promote cooperation in biological security.

According to Sergey Lavrov, the CSTO ministerial meeting is held for the first time in the format of a video conference. “Of course, this form cannot replace live communication, but it will certainly not prevent us from working as always, in a friendly and effective manner,” he stressed.

The agenda of the meeting includes issues on the state and prospects of development of international and regional situation and its impact on the security of CSTO member states, on cooperation between CSTO and the CIS and SCO. Close attention is focused on the interaction of CSTO member states at international venues, development of peacekeeping potential of the organization, institute of observer and partner of the CSTO, as well as joint counteraction of contemporary challenges and threats to security.

Plans are in place to adopt a number of joint statements, in particular on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, on reaffirming commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

By the proposal of the Armenian side an additional item on the statement of the CSTO Ministerial Council in support of the UN Secretary General's call on the global ceasefire in connection with the pandemic COVID-19 was included in the agenda.