MOSCOW (TASS): Russia considers it important for member states of theCollective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to harmonize theirlegislation on the fight against drug trafficking, international terrorismand extremism, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to asession of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly, the Kremlin website reported onMonday.

“In the conditions of the increase of such common challenges for us asinternational terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking and illegalmigration, we attach great importance to the activity of the ParliamentaryAssembly for ensuring the timely ratification of documents adopted withinthe CSTO on harmonizing the national legislation in the sphere ofsecurity,” the president’s message says.

“Elaborating common approaches to countering threats related tointerference in the internal affairs of sovereign states is also animportant area of inter-parliamentary cooperation,” Putin said.

“And, naturally, the coordination of efforts aimed at fighting thecoronavirus pandemic is becoming especially important today,” Putinstressed.

Strengthening security in the Collective Security Treaty Organization(CSTO) space and developing the collective defense potential in closecoordination with partners are key priorities for Russia’s CSTO presidencythis year, the Russian leader said.