Armenia withdraws from CSTO

• Armenia has suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
• This was announced by the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan recently.

ABOUT CSTO

• Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is an intergovernmental military alliance between Russia and other former Soviet republics.
• Origin
  • The Collective Security Treaty Organization originates from the conclusion of the Collective Security Treaty, which was signed in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on May 15, 1992 by the heads of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
  • Later, it was joined by Azerbaijan, Belarus and Georgia (1993).
  • The treaty entered into force upon completion of the national ratification procedures on April 20, 1994.
• The CSTO presently includes six states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
• CSTO Secretariat – Moscow, Russia
• The Collective Security Council (CSC) is the highest body of the Organization and consists of heads of the member States.
  • Sessions of the CSC are held alternately in the member States as necessary, but at least once a year.
  • The chairmanship of the Council is transferred in the order of the Russian alphabet, unless the Council decides otherwise.