Natalia Kochanova Met With the Chairs of the Defense Committees of the CSTO States' Parliaments in Minsk

Ahead of the visiting session of the Coordination Meeting of Chairpersons of Committees (Commissions) on Defense and Security of the Parliaments of the CSTO Member States under the CSTO PA Council, a meeting was held between the participants and Natalia Kochanova, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

As always, the meeting stressed the importance of efforts of the CSTO member states to ensure security in the region.

During the talks, Natalia Kochanova emphasized the value of unity among the Organization's member states in the face of modern challenges, and underlined the special role of parliamentary diplomacy on the international stage.

"Our strength lies in unity. Today, the CSTO acts not only as a guarantor of security but also as a constructive 'soft power.' In the current geopolitical climate, we must unite, work together and consolidate our efforts," Natalia Kochanova said. "Parliamentarians must convey our countries' objective position to the international community. The decisions we make must be as effective as possible and aimed, above all, at maintaining peace and harmony."

The Chairwoman of the Council also noted that the CSTO PA's work is highly relevant today, as its agenda usually covers the most pressing global issues.

Speaking of the specific areas of joint work, Natalia Kochanova stressed the vital role of updating CSTO model laws, to ensure a prompt response to new threats. In particular, she named the laws governing the legal regulation of artificial intelligence, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cybersecurity and reliable protection of fuel and energy facilities.