Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers of CSTO Member States on Countering Radicalisation Leading to Terrorism and Extremism

The member states of the CSTO express profound concern over the escalating threats of terrorism and extremism worldwide and acknowledge the existence of numerous internal and external factors that give rise to the grave problem of radicalisation, which fuels violence and facilitates involvement in terrorist and extremist activities.

They unequivocally condemn terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, underscoring that no act of terrorism or extremism can ever be justified, irrespective of its motivation, timing, or perpetrators. Those responsible for such unlawful acts must be brought to justice.

The member states voice alarm at the rising number of terrorist and other extremist acts, which pose threats to society and the state, committed under the influence of radical ideologies, including those rooted in neo-Nazism, xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance. They emphasise that terrorism and extremism must not – and cannot – be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group.

They stress the impermissibility of any support for, propaganda of, justification of, or incitement to terrorist and extremist activities.

The member states oppose double standards in the sphere of combating terrorism and extremism, as well as attempts to exploit terrorist and extremist groups for self-serving geopolitical aims.

They reaffirm the importance of consolidating efforts in the international struggle against terrorism and extremism, expressing their readiness to engage in collaborative work based on equitable dialogue and respect for national sovereignty. This collaboration aims to prevent and suppress terrorist acts and to eliminate the conditions that enable the spread of terrorism and extremism. Such endeavours must be supported by strengthened collaboration, full respect for the central and coordinating role of the United Nations (UN), observance of relevant obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and pertinent international conventions and protocols, implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and a balanced application of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The member states recognise that states must assume a leading role in countering terrorist and extremist threats. In this connection, they underscore the necessity of advancing regional and international collaboration to enhance the capacity of state institutions, emphasising that national experiences, priorities, and contexts must be duly considered in view of differing legal, political, socio-economic, cultural, religious, and other local specificities.

They call for intensified individual and collective efforts by states to counter radicalisation leading to terrorism and extremism, driven by terrorist ideologies and other radical doctrines, including religious intolerance, insults to believers’ religious sentiments, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, neo-Nazism, and ethnic and racial discrimination, all of which contribute to incitement to terrorism and recruitment for terrorist activities.

The member states attach paramount importance to implementing comprehensive measures to counter the financing and other forms of support for terrorism and extremism, including through disrupting recruitment, arms supply channels, and the cross-border movement of terrorists.

They remain committed to further developing collaboration in combating international terrorist and extremist organisations that pose a direct threat to CSTO member states, as well as to neutralising attempts at destructive external interference in the internal affairs of CSTO member states, which seek to destabilise socio-political and socio-economic conditions, provoke radicalisation among the population, and fuel extremist and terrorist manifestations.

The member states deem it vital to continue refining advanced methods and means in the fight against terrorism, particularly to prevent attempts by terrorists and extremists to exploit modern information and communication technologies for disseminating radical ideologies and practices.

They underscore the importance of eradicating the internal and external causes and conditions that give rise to and spread radicalism, including through educational systems, awareness-raising efforts, and support for traditional religious institutions that foster harmony in interfaith and interethnic relations. They advocate greater engagement by the media, religious leaders, academic institutions, and the business community in state-led initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the dangers posed by the ideologies and activities of terrorist and extremist organisations, while promoting principles of tolerance, social cohesion, and respect for ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity.

The member states highlight the particular relevance of efforts aimed at deradicalisation and social reintegration of individuals who have fallen under the influence of radical ideologies, including former members of terrorist and extremist organisations, those held in penitentiary institutions for crimes of an extremist or terrorist nature, as well as individuals who have completed sentences for involvement in terrorism and extremism, including so-called foreign terrorist fighters.

The member states intend to coordinate relevant approaches within specialised international and regional organisations to develop effective common measures for countering radicalisation that leads to terrorism and extremism. In this regard, they support the initiative, implemented under the auspices of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, to conduct a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of extremism and societal radicalisation, as well as national and regional practices to combat it, with the participation of experts and analytical centres from CSTO member states.