Lavrov: The UN can use CSTO’s potential to harmonize regional aspirations

In his speech at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed to use CSTO’s potential to “draft some proposals of ways to harmonize regional aspirations in order to give a maximum broad and effective global response to the challenges of our time.”

In his speech at the session, he noted the undisputed primacy of the UN in the global agenda. “Essentially, we have no other option, as broad cooperation at the United Nations is particularly relevant now when the number of problems on the international agenda is on the rise,” noted Sergei Lavrov.

Mr Lavrov stated, “For Russia, it is obvious that threats and challenges can be countered effectively only through concerted efforts in strict compliance with the universally recognized norms of the international law, first and foremost, the goals and principles of the UN Charter,” emphasizing that “Russia, together with its partners and allies, supports strengthening of mutually complementary network alliances via the development of integrative processes within the CIS, EAEU, CSTO and SCO. President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to create a Greater Eurasian Partnership, which would also engage ASEAN – the key actor defining the norms of behaviour in Asia-Pacific – bears a positive impetus.”

“In general, the regional aspect of the world’s development is gaining momentum,” said Sergei Lavrov, recalling that the UN Charter has Chapter VIII devoted to relations with regional organizations. On this basis, the Secretary General annually gathers such organizations to exchange views on global policy.

“We believe it would be very useful to use it to draft some proposals of ways to harmonize regional aspirations in order to give a maximum broad and effective global response to the challenges of our time,” the Russian Foreign Minister said.

As you may recall, the CSTO has been an observer at the UN General Assembly since 2004.