Viktor Biyagov: The parliamentary agenda is among Armenia’s priorities for its chairmanship in the CSTO

“I cannot but mention the important role of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in the adoption of model legislative acts and recommendations that contribute to the approximation of the CSTO Member States’ legislation and bring it in line with the provisions of international treaties concluded by the states within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. We know that the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Secretariat and representatives of the national parliaments play an instrumental role in this area,” said Viktor Biyagov, Chairman of the CSTO Permanent Council, Permanent and Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly, at the working meeting between the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CSTO Member States to the CSTO and Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CSTO Member States’ parliaments to the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly.

In his speech, Chairman of the CSTO Permanent Council recalled that at the September 2021session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, the Republic of Armenia assumed the presidency over the Organization.

“In his address at the session, Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, presented the Republic’s priorities for its presidency in the Organization,” said Viktor Biyagov, underscoring that among others they include the parliamentary dimension. In particular, in the parliamentary context, it is proposed to address the legal regulation within the framework of the CSTO, undertake steps aimed at further institutionalization of the Organization’s parliamentary dimension and continue efforts aimed at approximation and harmonization of the Member States’ national legislation in the area of ensuring security, taking into consideration the new challenges and threats.

“We consider it important to develop the potential of the CSTO Member States’ parliamentary diplomacy for building a dialogue on the platforms of international parliamentary organizations and forums to build a common and indivisible security space,” said Viktor Biyagov.

Chairman of the CSTO Permanent Council noted that the CSTO sees the strengthening of its authority in the international arena through “expanding interaction with other international organizations, and it is important to use common experience to this end.”

Viktor Biyagov recalled the upcoming events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the CSTO and emphasized that “Republic of Armenia’s priorities, as well as any initiative of other CSTO Member States can be attained only through close cooperation.”

The working meeting was attended by Stanislav Zas, CSTO Secretary General; Sergei Pospelov, CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Executive Secretary and head of the CSTO PA Secretariat; Samat Ordabaev, deputy CSTO Secretary General; permanent representatives of the CSTO Member States to the CSTO and representatives of the CSTO Member States’ parliaments to the Organization’s Parliamentary Assembly.