Sergei Rachkov: Development of peacekeeping within the CSTO is extremely relevant considering new challenges and threats

Sergei Rachkov, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, being a member of the Coordination Council of Chairpersons of Committees (Commissions) on Defence and Security of the Parliaments of the CSTO Member States, took part in monitoring the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces’ exercise Unbreakable Brotherhood 2021 and is convinced that, “Considering modern threats and challenges, development of the CSTO peacekeeping is an extremely important and relevant matter.”

Sergei Rachkov thinks it is necessary for the Organization’s parliamentarians to monitor exercises, “After all, we develop model laws and then based on the adopt national laws that shall also promote the development of the CSTO activity in general and the CSTO peacekeeping activity in particular.”

Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus emphasized, “Today the CSTO actively collaborates with the United Nations Organization and seeks its place in the UN peacekeeping system.”

“In my opinion, it is advisable to support and develop this activity, to find even more points of contact with the UN structures involved in peacekeeping,” he said.

Speaking about the completed exercise, Sergei Rachkov emphasized the cohesiveness of peacekeeping contingents involved in the exercise. “Today the exercise’s level was very high. In general, I am impressed by what I saw: units worked in a well-coordinated and organized manner. The peacekeepers of our countries are very well-prepared and professional. Their good cooperation is obvious,” he said.

“Some participants had issues with language proficiency, but I think that it is correctable and each country will take it into consideration while preparing its peacekeepers for interaction within the CSTO,” said Sergei Rachkov and added, “It is necessary to continue the practice of inviting representatives of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly to observe such exercises.”