Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

Photo credit: UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras.

Collective Security Treaty Organization

Abbreviation

CSTO

Summary

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is an intergovernmental military alliance. Among its fundamental objectives is combating international terrorism. The CSTO aims to strengthen the national and collective security of its members through military-political cooperation, coordinating foreign policy, and establishing cooperation mechanisms. Reportedly, the CSTO is undertaking an effort to develop relationships with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council, the OSCE, and other security entities.

Members

The members of the CSTO are Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus.

Observers

Afghanistan and Serbia are observers of the CSTO.

Website

http://www.odkb.gov.ru/start/index_aengl.htm

Entry drafted by PILAC Research Assistant Carson Cook, with research support from PILAC RA Svitlana Starosvit. Entry last updated: March 2015.