Collective Security Treaty Organization
| |||
| Headquarters | Moscow | ||
| Membership | 6 member states | ||
| Official language | Russian | ||
| Secretary General | Nikolai Bordyuzha | ||
| Formation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| As CST - Signed - Effective As CSTO - Signed - Effective |
- 15 May 1992 - 20 April 1994 - 7 October 2002 - 18 September 2003 | ||
In the framework of Commonwealth of Independent States the CIS Collective Security Treaty (CST) was signed on May 15, 1992, by Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, in the city of Tashkent. Azerbaijan likewise signed the treaty on September 24, 1993, Georgia on December 9, 1993 and Belarus on December 31, 1993. The treaty came into effect on April 20, 1994.
The treaty reaffirmed the desire of all participating states to abstain from the use or threat of force. Signatories wouldn't be able to join other military alliances or other groups of states, while an aggression against one signatory would be perceived as an aggression against all.
The CST was set to last for a 5-year period unless extended. On April 2, 1999, the Presidents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, signed a protocol renewing the treaty for another five year period -- however Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan refused to sign and withdrew from the treaty instead (at the same time Uzbekistan joined the GUAM group, established in 1997 by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and largely seen as intending to counter Russian dominance in the region).
On October 7, 2002, the six members of the CST signed a charter in Chişinău, expanding it and renaming to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Nikolai Bordyuzha was appointed secretary general of the new organization.
Armenia's main motivation for working inside CSTO is to acquire some protection against Azerbaijan in the case of increased violence over Nagorno-Karabakh.
During 2005 the CSTO partners have concluded some common military drills.
In 2005 Uzbekistan withdraw from GUAM and currently it is seeking again closer ties with Russia and so may consider joining CSTO again during 2006.
CSTO is observer organisation to the United Nations General Assembly.
Member states
- Current members:
- Russia (1994)
- Belarus (1994)
- Kazakhstan (1994)
- Kyrgyzstan (1994)
- Tajikistan (1994)
- Armenia (1994)
- Nations left:
- Azerbaijan (withdrew 1999)
- Georgia (withdrew 1999)
- Uzbekistan (withdrew 1999)