DUSHANBE, September 15. /TASS/. Members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) voiced their concerns over ongoing cases of unilateral sanctions that circumvent international law, which hinder the most vulnerable countries in combating the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences. This is announced in the statement on the affirmation of commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, adopted by the foreign ministers of the CSTO member states.

"[The CSTO member states] express serious concerns about the ongoing cases of the introduction of unilateral coercive measures not based on international law, including economic sanctions, which hinder the efforts of the most vulnerable countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic and overcome its socio-economic consequences. We express our support for the calls by the UN Secretary General to suspend such restrictions," the document says.

The CSTO countries announced that it is unacceptable to oppose the goal of observing human rights to such principles of international law as "the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the non-use of force and the threat of force". The document emphasizes that the CSTO states condemn any interference, whether in the political, economic, social, cultural and other spheres of national jurisdiction, as well as the extraterritorial application of national law by a number of states in violation of international law.

"[The CSTO member states] confirm the indispensability of the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts with the use of agreed means, mechanisms and negotiating formats, as well as the inadmissibility of the use of force or the threat of force and hate speech, contributing to the easing of tension and the establishment of peaceful cooperation," the statement says.

In addition, the sides support the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force in violation of the UN Charter, and also declare that political means should be given priority in achieving the goals of strengthening peace, international and regional security. The countries of the organization expressed their intention to continue to increase cooperation on the basis of the UN Charter.