MOSCOW, December 5. /TASS/. The CSTO countries reaffirm their commitment to refrain from the use of force and intend to settle all disputes between them and other states by peaceful means, according to the CSTO Council declaration published on the organization's website.
"We reaffirm the obligation to refrain from the use of force or the threat of force in interstate relations and to settle all disputes between ourselves and other states by peaceful means," the declaration said.
The document also pointed to "the inalienable right to individual and collective self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter" and indicated the intention of the CSTO countries "to continue joint activities to maintain security and prevent destabilizing effects in the organization’s zone of responsibility." "We emphasize the unacceptability of the deployment of weapons systems along its perimeter that pose threats to the CSTO’s collective security," the declaration said.
In addition, the document noted that "the settlement of armed conflicts in the world and the achievement of stabilization of the situation is possible by taking into account the interests of countries in the field of security, using the full range of political and diplomatic means on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter and international law, as well as the principle of indivisibility of security."
"We do not accept provocative actions near the borders of the CSTO member states, which could lead to dangerous incidents and increase military and political tensions. We express our deep concern over the movement of foreign terrorist fighters into armed conflict zones," the declaration said.