CSTO Parliamentary Delegations Aligned their Positions within the Inter-Parliamentary Union

 

On October 13, Geneva hosted a coordination meeting of the heads of the parliamentary delegations of the CSTO Member States on the margins of the 149th Assembly of the IPU. 

 

The meeting was chaired by Sergei Rachkov, Chairman of the Standing Commission on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

 

The meeting discussed the growing importance of the CSTO in ensuring regional security. The parties noted that the CSTO parliamentary dimension plays a special role in the work of the Organization. 

 

Sergei Rachkov drew attention to the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus to start work on the draft of a new CSTO Development Strategy and noted that the CSTO, like any international structure, should adapt to the evolving international situation. 

 

"Only together can we ensure timely and efficient response to changing challenges and threats," the Belarusian parliamentarian emphasized.

In addition, Sergei Rachkov suggested coordinating the positions of the CSTO Member States on the emergency resolution of the Arab countries. 

 

Aigul Kuspan, Chairwoman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defence and Security of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, reminded everyone the priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the CSTO. She emphasized that the Organization's key area of work is the coordination of international activities, including within the IPU.

 

Sergei Pospelov, Executive Secretary of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly, suggested to consider coordinating the activities of the parliamentary delegations of the CSTO Member States within the IPU geopolitical group "Eurasia" and reported that the CSTO PA Secretariat is interested in the Assembly's obtaining the status of observer in the "Eurasia" group. 

 

"We also suggested to organize a special session to exchange recommendatory legislation experience in the field of artificial intelligence within the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly", said Sergei Pospelov.  

 

On behalf of the geopolitical group "Eurasia", Sergei Rachkov supported and praised the initiative of the CSTO PA Secretariat. Pyotr Tolstoy, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, and Sergei Aleinik, Chairman of the Permanent Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, supported his opinion.

 

As you may recall, the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is taking place from October 13 to 17 in Geneva. The agenda of the Assembly includes a discussion on "Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future", as well as meetings of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Standing Committee on Peace and International Security and Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights.