EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight - Russia Creates a New Security System to Replace the C.I.S.

EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight

The creation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (C.S.T.O.) in October 2002 was the first Russian initiative on the road to a change of a security system in the post-Soviet space. Its members became the states that in 1999 continued the Tashkent Treaty; those states were Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. This new organization encompasses the most faithful Russian allies. Its aim is to fulfill one of the key goals of the transformation of Russian military forces, which assumes the consolidation of Russian influence in the territory of the former U.S.S.R. The stress is put on accommodating Russia’s army forces to take part in modern wars. The priority is given to an ability to fight terrorism and regain global power-projection capabilities.

In 2005, Moscow intensified its activities, aimed at moving military cooperation from the C.I.S. forum to the C.S.T.O. Russia began the promotion of the C.S.T.O. on the international arena: it was granted observer status in the General Assembly of the U.N., it was recognized by the O.S.C.E. and the S.C.O. Moreover, efforts were made to begin cooperation with N.A.T.O., especially in Afghanistan. The meeting of the main organ of the C.S.T.O. -- the C.S.T.O. Collective Security Council -- was organized in Moscow June 22-24, 2005. The decisions, which were adopted at the meeting, point out at the will to create a military component to the organization. In particular, the members discussed a plan for the development of integrated air defense systems and the improvement of rapid deployment forces in the Central Asian region. Additionally, the commission for military-economic cooperation was created; its aim is to create closer cooperation between military industries.