Let's strengthen defense: Putin urged to ensure technological leadership of the CSTO
The countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) should ensure technological leadership in the military-technical sphere: this is especially necessary in today's difficult international situation. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this at a meeting with the heads of parliaments of the CSTO countries on December 9. It is also necessary to work together on the standardization of weapons and military equipment, developing cooperation from individual enterprises to entire branches of production. He also drew attention to the importance of improving migration legislation. How the Russian Federation plans to solve the issue of foreign labor force and what directions are priority for the CSTO today - in the material of "Izvestia".
On historical memory and defense potential of the CSTO
Vladimir Putin, almost two weeks after the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Astana, again plunged into the issues of the alliance's development. On December 9, the president met with the chairmen of parliaments of the CSTO member states in the Kremlin. The event was attended by Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Igor Sergeenko, Head of the Majilis (lower house) of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Yerlan Koshanov, Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiev and Head of the lower house of the Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan Makhmadtoir Zokirzoda. Representatives of the Armenian side, which has frozen its presence in the association, were not present at the meeting. Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, also attended the event.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the ceremony of taking a joint photo of participants in a session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Astana.
Vladimir Putin noted the work of parliamentarians on legislative support in the sphere of defense, military construction, crisis response, fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime. However, the first thing he emphasized was the importance of promoting the patriotic agenda, since the meeting was held on the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland, which is celebrated in the Russian Federation.
- On this memorable date we honor heroes, holders of military orders, pay tribute to all our ancestors and contemporaries who showed bravery and selflessness in the name of the Motherland, and, of course, remember the immortal feat of our fathers and grandfathers who defended our common Fatherland during the Great Patriotic War. This is our common victory shoulder to shoulder," Vladimir Putin said.
In this context, the President of the Russian Federation reminded that he was waiting for the leaders of the member states of the organization to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory on May 9, 2025. He also invited military units of the countries to participate together with the Russian military in the parade on Red Square. The CSTO member states are actively working to preserve historical truth.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with chairmen of parliaments of CSTO member states
- We are firmly committed to strengthening the organization, increasing its authority in ensuring peace and stability throughout the vast Eurasian space, we stand in solidarity for the formation of a just multipolar world order, equal and indivisible security, respect for each other's sovereign interests and the right of everyone to their own model of development, - Vladimir Putin stressed.
He also drew attention of the heads of parliaments to military-technical and military-economic cooperation. According to him, in the current difficult international situation it is important to ensure technological leadership of the CSTO countries in the defense sphere. For this purpose it is necessary to work together on the issues of standardization of weapons and military equipment, development of multilateral cooperation of specific enterprises and entire industries related to the defense sphere, the President believes. Today the participants of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly make decisions in a consolidated manner, said Vyacheslav Volodin. According to him, the CSTO parliamentary format has gone through a difficult stage of formation.
- When it comes to the harmonization of legislation, it is necessary to agree with each member country before putting forward a model act or decision for adoption within the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly. And this is not an easy task, because each norm requires discussion, a verified position, because we make decisions in a consolidated manner," he said.
On the fight against illegal migration and new penalties
Vladimir Putin also touched upon the situation with illegal migration. Today the legislators of the CSTO countries, according to his estimates, are making a significant contribution to the harmonization of legal regulation. In particular, they have already prepared concepts of migration security and recommendations on improving legislation to combat illegal movement of people. Russia and other CSTO countries are interested in finalizing this legislation so that citizens of the states can feel calm and safe.
- And those who come here would be ready for this work. They would understand where they are coming to, they would know the language of the country where they intend to live and work, they would enjoy social opportunities and guarantees - both they and their family members, but I repeat once again, so that it would be comfortable for those people who live in this or that country on a permanent basis, whose citizens they are," the President said.
The issue of migration regulation has been actively discussed in Russia for more than half a year. In early November, the Federation Council approved a package of legislative initiatives aimed at combating illegal migration. They were submitted to the State Duma by a group of more than 350 deputies. One of the laws classifies the organization of illegal migration committed by an organized group as a particularly serious crime. Such a crime is punishable by imprisonment for 8 to 15 years with a fine of 3 to 5 million rubles. In addition, the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is supplemented with new norms providing for confiscation of money, valuables and other property for organizers of illegal migration in case of committing a crime for profit.
The senators also approved a law that prohibits intermediaries from taking exams for foreigners on their knowledge of the Russian language, the basics of history and Russian legislation. Only state institutions included in the list of the Russian government will be able to do this.
- No one prohibits the arrival of foreign workers - and it is impossible in the modern world - but the adopted federal legislative acts put the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of Russian citizens as the main priority. Today we need to attract foreign labor, but there must be control over migrant workers. In fact, the new migration policy does not prohibit migration, but brings it out of the gray zone into the legal field of the Russian Federation," Alexei Govyrin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Small and Medium Entrepreneurship, explained to Izvestia.
According to the proposed changes, the incoming labor force is obliged to comply with the laws of the Russian Federation, to know the state language of the country and to respect local traditions, he explained. In addition, parliamentarians by such measures protect the economy - because of gray schemes of intermediaries, organizers of illegal migration, the budget does not receive billions of rubles. This money should be taken out of the shadow market and directed to the development of the country, emphasized Alexei Govyrin.
- Another important issue is the regulation of labor migration in the regions. Subjects of the Russian Federation have the right to set the cost of a patent for foreign workers. And they have the right to make the patent target-oriented - taking into account the needs of the economy of a particular territory. It is necessary to bring order to migration flows, including labor, both at the federal level and directly in the regions. Parliament has passed the necessary laws, now it is a matter of enforcing them. We clearly distinguish between legal labor migration and illegal aliens," he summarized.
About destructive content and the problem of biolaboratories
Among other topics is the problem of existence of foreign bio-laboratories on the territory of the CSTO countries. Vladimir Putin noted that he was aware of the development of a model bill that could be used by the members of the association "to optimize national regulation and prevent military-biological activity."
- Some countries are developing these activities on the territories of foreign states, including our states. And we, without any doubt, must understand what is going on in these laboratories, whether there are threats there, and if so, what they are and how to counteract these threats," the Russian leader said.
The CSTO Parliamentary Assembly should also deal with information security, the president said. At the same time, on the one hand, to ensure the protection of personal data and, on the other hand, "not to stand in the way of progress", said the Head of State.
- We trust that the legislators of our countries will also do their part in addressing such an urgent task as countering the dissemination of inaccurate information and the imposition of destructive ideological attitudes from outside. The traditional values we are talking about, regardless of which religion is predominant in a particular country, are generally the same," the President noted.
In conclusion, Vladimir Putin noted another key element of the CSTO activity - monitoring of elections in the member countries. According to him, the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly has rightfully received wide international recognition and has established close cooperation with relevant international structures, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as many countries of Latin America and Africa.
