Speech by the CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov at a meeting of the International Headquarters of Operation Illegal on March 13, 2020

Dear colleagues! Dear participants of the meeting!

Warm greetings to the members of the delegations of the Organization's member states and the participants of the meeting of the International Staff of the CSTO "Illegal" regional operation, which takes place in our Crisis Response Center with the connection of the national staffs of states in a conference call.

Today we have to discuss issues related to the organization of practical events this year on the territory of the CSTO member states to cut off channels of illegal immigration and about increasing the effectiveness of these measures.

Obviously, the provision of social and migration stability, inter-ethnic peace and harmony in our countries directly depends on professional, thoughtful actions in this area.

We have noted the serious consequences of the almost non-controllable flows of so-called refugees to Europe from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and other regions. There is a surge of crime, and conflicts on national and religious grounds, and social tension. Migrants, practically deprived of the opportunity to integrate into society, become the object of propaganda, recruitment by extremists and terrorist organizations. radical moods are growing in this environment.

This being said I want to emphasize that the CSTO responsibility zone has built and operates a multifunctional system for comprehensive security of our states. This system is aimed at countering the challenges and threats, which include illegal migration.

Dear participants of the meeting!

Upon defining the trends of modern challenges and threats that are forming on illegal migration channels, we have to take in account the actual migration situation in the each of CSTO member state. In this regard, upon the "Illegal Alien" operation, we have to analyze all aspects of actual migration situation and amend our actions where it is necessary to address existing and potential threats.

We understand well that the illegal migration is associated with increased risks and requires the closest attention. So, according to the results of "Illegal - 2019" operation , it can be seen that many migrants (for reference - over 118 000) in our states were in violation of the order of stay. In fact, they fell out of the control zone on the part of state and law enforcement agencies and find themselves drawn into a criminal or semi-criminal business. An important task in this regard remains the suppression of schemes for the illegal legalization of foreigners staying in our countries in violation of the law. Through law enforcement agencies and special services, it is necessary to identify and suppress the activities of structures engaged in such a criminal business, to identify their corrupt ties.

Drug dealers, foreign intelligence agencies as well as international extremist and terrorist organizations are trying to take advantage from the channels of the illegal migrations.

Upon operation "Illegal Alien - 2019" instituted of 2 200 criminal proceedings related to the drug trafficking, 238 criminal proceedings related to illegal arms trafficking, 179 criminal proceedings related to the attempts of illegal border crossing and 51 criminal proceedings related to the crimes of extremist and terrorist nature.

We have to get tough with these attempts, and keep active working with all our responsible deprartments. According to this statement I would like to ask representatives of national staffs to focus the attention of structural departments on strengthening operational and preventive work to combat crime in the migration environment  upon organizational events in their states.

In addition, it is precisely the status of the CSTO regional operation that allows us, in the format of the Organization, to increase cooperation between our competent bodies, to use here both the existing experience, the contacts we have at the working level, and new forms of cooperation in the fight against illegal migration.

Obviously, that the result depends directly on the clear and effective coordination and coordinated actions of all structures and services. Both working directly in our states and generally responsible for organizing and conducting the CSTO "Illegal Alien" operation. Representatives of all national staffs are here today and are in touch with us in their respective states.

It also seems appropriate, within the framework of "Illegal - 2020" operation, to use the existing potential of the Coordination Service of the SKPV, the Council of Heads of Financial Intelligence Units and the International Organization for Migration, whose representatives are participating in today's meeting.

Dear Colleagues!

In accordance with the Regulation on "Illegal" operation , upon today's meeting of the International staff it is necessary to comprehensively consider organizational issues and make an agreement over the plan for the operation in 2020.

According to the results of the meeting of the International staff, the "Illegal Alien - 2020" Operation Plan will be submitted for signing to the Chairman of the CCIM. This Plan will subsequently sent to the senior officers of national staffs to organize the operation at the national level.

I am sure that your potential will allow us to successfully solve all the organizational issues of the CSTO "Illegal" regional operation.