CSTO Leaders Discuss Security Issues at the EAEU Forum in Minsk

Being members of the Eurasian Economic Union, the heads of the CSTO Member States (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia) took part in the EAEU forum in Minsk.

Speaking at the plenary session via videoconference, Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, underlined the importance of developing modern mechanisms of cybersecurity.

According to the Prime Minister, the country is carrying out coordinated work on digitalization, improving the e-governance system, increasing digital literacy and creating an architecture of interdepartmental electronic interaction, which gives state bodies an access to primary information sources through secure communication channels.

Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of Belarus, paid attention to the issues of technological sovereignty and ensuring food security, as well as creating a peaceful and safe environment.

"I'm sure that our communication both within the framework of the official agenda and beyond it will help us answer all the relevant questions and solve the most challenging integration tasks together as like-minded people," President of Belarus added.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, listed a number of challenges coming from the introduction of artificial intelligence in all spheres of life. He stressed that those challenges are typical for any technological revolution.

"These are such risks as disparity in access to technologies, reduction of traditional jobs and limited digital sovereignty, including dependency on global digital monopolies," President of Kazakhstan pointed out.

He emphasized that digitalization and AI should be the EAEU's priority.

Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, in his speech stressed the need to build up the competitive research potential of the Union.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, touched upon the issues of economic security. Particularly, he pointed out that the country seeks to reduce dependency on Western financial institutions and minimize the use of foreign payment instruments and services.

According to Putin, interacting with such structures as the World Bank has become difficult due to their political affiliation, which compels searching for alternative ways to ensure financial stability.

As you may recall, delegations headed by the leaders of such countries as Cuba, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia arrived in Minsk to participate in the EAEU Forum. 2.7 thousand people from 33 countries are attending the event.