Faizali Idizoda: It is Extremely Important to Strengthen the Southern Borders of the CSTO

On the eve of the Coordination Meeting of Chairpersons of Committees (Commissions) on Defence and Security of the Parliaments of the CSTO Member States under the CSTO PA Council, a meeting took place between Faizali Idizoda, Speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, and the chairmen of the defence committees of the parliaments of the CSTO countries.

The meeting participants discussed issues of regional security, strengthening interparliamentary cooperation and further developing collaboration within the framework of the CSTO PA.

"We attach particular importance to this meeting within the framework of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly. Today's meeting, as a necessary mechanism for expanding cooperation between the parliaments of our countries on defence and security, once again confirms the CSTO's high responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the region. Cooperation within the framework of the Organization and the Parliamentary Assembly is a top priority for the Republic of Tajikistan. It is the parliamentary dimension of security that strengthens coordination of activities, facilitates the harmonization of legislation, the exchange of experience and the formation of a legal basis for effective interaction between the security agencies and civil society of the CSTO Member States," said Faizali Idizoda.

The Speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli added that "parliamentary diplomacy is becomingone of the main instruments of foreign policy" and stressed the need to strengthen the southern borders of the CSTO.

Gennady Lepeshko, Chairman of the Coordination Meeting, Chairman of the Permanent Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, pointed out that the Coordination Meeting, established in 2011 by a decision of the Council of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly and operating on a permanent basis, "facilitates the formation of a coordinated policy of the CSTO Member States on defence and security, which contributes to the collective security of the entire Organization."

"We hold our meetings annually in the CSTO Member States at the invitation of parliamentarians. Since the Coordination Meeting was established, we have held 14 annual meetings," Gennady Lepeshko shared.

As you may recall, the previous session of the Coordination Meeting took place on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan in 2015 and 2019.