COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANISATION (CSTO)

26th February, 2024 International News

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/int/csto.htm

Context: Armenia freezes participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)

Details

The decision represents a major shift in Armenia's foreign policy, potentially weakening its ties with Russia and seeking alternative security arrangements.
This decision coincides with ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan and comes just after discussions on a peace treaty at the Munich Security Conference.

Reason

Armenia believes the CSTO failed to fulfil its objectives during recent clashes with Azerbaijan (2021-2022).
The decision reflects Armenia's growing dissatisfaction with solely relying on Russia for security and potentially exploring diversifying their security partnerships. Leaving the CSTO is a significant step while closing the Russian base would be even more drastic and is not currently on the table.

Background

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory recognized as Azerbaijani but populated by Armenians.
Azerbaijan regained control of the territory in 2020, causing most Armenians to flee.
Unresolved issues surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh remain a major source of instability in the region.

About Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

Aspects	Description
Founding Members	Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Year Founded	1992 (Treaty signed), 2002 (Organization formally established)
Current Members	Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
Headquarters	Moscow, Russia
Main Goals	Strengthening peace, regional security, and stability: The CSTO aims to create an environment conducive to economic development and prosperity in the region. Protecting the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of member states: This includes collective defence against external aggression and assistance in countering internal threats like terrorism and organized crime. Promoting collective response to external threats: The CSTO members consider an attack on one member state an attack on all, requiring a joint response.
Key Features	Intergovernmental military alliance: The CSTO is not a supranational organization, and member states retain their independence. Joint military exercises and peacekeeping deployments: The CSTO conducts regular military exercises to improve interoperability between member state forces and has deployed peacekeeping missions to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Collective defence principle (attack on one is considered an attack on all): This principle is enshrined in the CSTO treaty and forms the cornerstone of the organization's military cooperation. Cooperation in security matters, including intelligence sharing and border security: Member states share intelligence and coordinate border security efforts to prevent and combat transnational threats.
Peacekeeping Operations	Tajikistan: The CSTO peacekeeping mission in Tajikistan (CSTO Peacekeeping Force in Tajikistan) was established in 2001 to help stabilize the country after a civil war. The mission currently consists of approximately 1,700 troops from member states. Kyrgyzstan: The CSTO deployed a peacekeeping force to Kyrgyzstan in 2010 following violent unrest in the country. The mission was short-lived and was withdrawn after a few months. UN Mandate: The CSTO can also deploy peacekeeping missions under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. However, this has not occurred yet.
Challenges and Criticisms	Limited effectiveness in real-world conflicts: Some argue that the CSTO has not been effective in addressing major regional security challenges, such as the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Accusations of being a tool for Russian influence: Critics view the CSTO as a means for Russia to maintain its dominance in the region and limit the foreign policy autonomy of other member states. Internal divisions and differing interests: Member states may have differing national interests and priorities, which can create challenges for coordinated action within the organization.