CIS ATC Joins Forces of Diplomats, Scientists and Intelligence Agencies

 
On June 9, the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center (CIS ATC) held the 19th meeting of heads of principal departments of competent bodies responsible for countering terrorism and heads of national institutions of the Commonwealth states that coordinate activities in the field of countering terrorism and extremism.
 
The meeting was attended not only by representatives of security bodies, but also by heads of CIS bodies, international organizations, and academic institutions whose areas of interest cover counter-terrorist issues.
 
Evgeniy Sysoev, Colonel General and Head of the CIS ATC, said: “Today’s meeting is part of a series of major political, diplomatic and administrative events held by the CIS ATC throughout the year, serving as a bridge between the March expert assembly in Yerevan featuring regional consultations and the upcoming management meeting of intelligence agencies and international institutions at the October counter-terrorism forum in Minsk.”

 
Sergei Pospelov, CSTO PA Executive Secretary, also participated in the meeting.
 
“During the event, particular emphasis was placed on strengthening practical ties and coordinating efforts within the CIS, CSTO and SCO. Close cooperation of these international organizations serves as the foundation of a reliable regional security architecture and ensures the most efficient response to transnational threats in Eurasia,” Sergei Pospelov noted.
 
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and National Centre for Historical Memory under the President of the Russian Federation took part in the meeting for the first time.
 
As you may recall, the CIS ATC maintains a specialized database, providing the competent bodies of the Commonwealth states online access to it. Today, the database contains information on more than 19 thousand wanted individuals—terrorists, extremists, and mercenaries—as well as a photo library containing more than 13 thousand of their photos.
 
The CSTO PA Secretariat and the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center are working together to improve the legal framework for countering terrorism. In 2015, a Memorandum on Interaction and Cooperation between the CIS ATC and the CSTO PA was signed.