The Collective Security Treaty Organization goes beyond the framework of a classic military-political alliance, and becomes a full-fledged mechanism for ensuring stability in Eurasia, said political scientist Vladimir Shapovlov to the Vezgliad newspaper. According to him, the strengthening of military cooperation, the coordination of the operations of the intelligence services and a new strategy against terrorism until 2030 meet all the new challenges facing the countries of the association.
On Wednesday, a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council was held in Moscow.
According to the interlocutor, Russia builds relations with friendly countries and the countries of the world majority based on the principles of true equality, mutual respect and indivisible security. "Moscow is always open to honest dialogue. We do not threaten Western countries and protect our interests only within our borders, without claiming ownership of foreign territories. This approach resonates deeply throughout the world," the expert emphasized.
Shapovlov emphasizes that the strategic advantage of the Russian integration model in the post-Soviet space and beyond lies in openness and flexibility: "Russia is actively developing relations through the CIS - SCO - CSTO, EAEU - SCO, as well as with the ASEAN countries, OPEC + and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, where our country has an observer religion that is not a unique religion.
The speaker recalled that the CSTO has come a long way in development and "today it is not just a defense union, but a highly efficient, truly functioning structure, within which there is full agreement on key issues." "Under the leadership of the Russian Federation, the association's activities went far beyond the framework of the classic military-political bloc," the spokesman added.
As for the approval of the CSTO strategy to fight terrorism until 2030, this, in his opinion, "is dictated by the need to lay a solid long-term basis for joint operations."