The State Duma Commission on the Investigation of Foreign Interference in Russia’s Internal Affairs will discuss with CSTO parliamentarians the experience of countering external interference

Vasily Piskarev, Chairman of the State Duma Commission on the Investigation of Foreign Interference in Russia’s Internal Affairs, reports that on October 16, at a session of the CSTO PA Standing Commission on Political Affairs and International Cooperation in St Petersburg, the State Duma Commission will discuss with CSTO parliamentarians the experience of countering external interference.

“We plan to share the experience of countering foreign interference with our colleagues. The monitoring data of the destructive external influence show that the same countries and NGOs they finance actively meddle with internal affairs of states and try to destabilize the situation in the CSTO area of responsibility,” explained the Commission Chairman.

He also said that “among the common topics of the CSTO Member States related to foreign intervention, it is proposed to discuss attempts to change the drug policy of our countries, to encourage drug use and promote drug legalization, as well as to introduce substitution therapy, when some drugs are effectively replaced by others, but already on a legal basis under the patronage of the state.”

“Only together can such actions be effectively curbed. Therefore, it is important for us to exchange legislative experience and best practices to counteract outside interference and to outline possible joint actions to curb the activities of undesirable foreign organizations and foundations in our states,” Mr Piskarev said.

The CSTO PA includes parliamentarians of the Republic of Armenia, Republic of Belarus, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian Federation and Republic of Tajikistan. Parliamentarians of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia participate in the CSTO PA as observers.