CSTO to expand participation in peacekeeping activities
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The Moscow-led security bloc discusses expanding peacekeeping initiatives, developing new alliances, and Armenia's issues with the alliance.
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Collective Security Treaty Organization member state leaders, on Thursday, November 23, 2023. (AP)
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the regional security alliance between Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, is pursuing more extensive participation in peacekeeping activities beyond its responsibility scope.
The Natsionalnaya Oborona magazine reported, citing Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov, that the CSTO remains attentive to its peacekeeping duties but "aims to expand participation in peacekeeping initiatives outside the organization's area of responsibility."
He highlighted the importance of engagement with international organizations as well, saying it is "necessary".
Tasmagambetov also emphasized that the expansion and enlargement of the organization could also be a possibility, due to the growing need to establish military and political alliances, as conflicts extend with the fall of the old world order.
In this context, Tasmagambetov affirmed that peacekeeping initiatives would only continue to increase, driving the inception of new cooperation layouts within the CSTO.
The Secretary General said the CSTO "offers very favorable conditions for participation", such as democratic decision-making processes, prioritizing diplomatic and political conflict resolution methods, and the absence of "rigid bloc discipline".
Read more: US expands influence in Kazakhstan via training programs: Russian MFA
Armenia
On Armenian participation within the bloc, Tasmagambetov revealed it has not been very active, but Yerevan has not suspended its membership either. The CSTO respects Armenia's decisions and course of action, and continues operating to the fullest as usual, Tasmagambetov said, adding that Armenia is informed of all developments, decisions, and actions taken by the CSTO.
Moreover, the SG said the organization's analysts have examined the Armenian situation and the country's relations with the CSTO, however, there have been certain indications among "the Armenian elite" that incite concerns.
Earlier this month, Russia said it was still waiting for Armenia's decision regarding its membership at the CSTO.
Armenia has decided to bet on countries foreign to the region, "which are courting Yerevan and promising to help Yerevan in all its troubles, as long as Armenia breaks off relations with Russia and the integration structures" that have been set in place in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Moscow expresses regret that Yerevan has chosen to pursue a path of deteriorating relations with Russia, placing blame on Moscow regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, the Minister added, noting that it was Russia that halted the conflict in the region.
Read more: Armenian PM Pashinyan calls for public discussions on EU membership
