Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, speaking at the International Conference on Security in the Asia-Pacific region, "Shangri-La Dialogue," stated that Russia, while being both European and Asian state, feels the need to strengthen global security mechanisms.
At the same time, he recalled that the UN General Assembly, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need to create an area of equal and indivisible security, security not only for elite, but for everyone. "This way we can avoid further escalation of conflicts both on the European continent, and in the Asia-Pacific region. Especially since today's realities require maximum coordination and cooperation from us. First of all, it concerns fight against terrorism, which became a key challenge to the international stability. The fight against this evil objectively unites our countries," he stated.
He also noted that the 5th International Conference on Security, which was held in Moscow in April, was dedicated to the issue of joint fight against the international terrorism. "It was especially noted that terrorism became problem number one for all of us. Russia proposed cooperation on the basis of Russian President's initiative on the establishment of a broad anti-terrorist front, which would be based on regulations of the international law and the UN Charter provisions to all interested countries," Antonov said.
"There are also many old problems, states in the region face new threats and challenges. It includes - terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of its delivery, territorial disputes, organized crime, piracy, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, cybercrime," he specified.
He also pointed out that current regional security system, which is based on networks of closed military alliances, does not meet the interests of all countries in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR). According to him, closed military alliances are thing of the past, while Russia supports the idea that no one should try to ensure his own security at the expense of others.
Antonov stressed that current regional security system does not contribute to the establishment of an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding, does not meet the interests and concerns of all countries of the Asia-Pacific region. He informed that Russia, with the support of China and Brunei, proposed an initiative on the development of framework principles of strengthening security and improving cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. According to him, Moscow aims at building comprehensive military ties with all countries of the Asia-Pacific region in order to strengthen peace and stability in the region.
In addition, Antonov emphasized that Russia is determined to expand cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific Region and actively develops military cooperation with them, primarily with China, India and ASEAN countries. "We intend to continue to focus on working closely with all of those who are interested in practical cooperation, development of transparency and trust in the military sphere," TASS quoted him as saying.
