5 Dec 2022 15:03

CSTO PA adopts statement on unacceptability of biological weapons development

MOSCOW. Dec 5 (Interfax) - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) adopted a statement on the unacceptability of developing biological and toxin weapons on Monday.

The document, which was endorsed during the 15th CSTO PA plenary session, declares the commitment to "a world free of biological weapons." "We assume that the state bodies of the CSTO countries will unite their efforts in coordinating the work on unconditional implementation of the Convention [the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC)] in the Organization area and on enhancing the legislative framework in this field," the statement reads.

The CSTO PA members also call for using the platforms of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other international parliamentary organizations to facilitate the implementation of the BTWC provisions, the statement reads.

The CSTO PA members noted in the statement that the non-compliance with the Convention could lead to potential biological threats.

The joint session of the CSTO PA Council and the 15th CSTO PA plenary session is taking place in Moscow on Monday chaired by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.