Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military alliance that oversees Russia and some of its allies to rival the North Atlantic Defense Pact (NATO) in Europe.
This alliance is actually a continuation of the Collective Security Treaty, which was signed in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on May 15, 1992. Its purpose is similar to that of NATO, protecting member states of one region from aggression from other countries.
There are also those who consider the formation of the CSTO to compete with NATO after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact formed by the Soviet Union.
Article 4 of the treaty reads: “If a member state becomes the subject of aggression by another state or group of countries, this will be considered as aggression against all member states of this treaty. Regarding acts of aggression against one of the participating countries, all other member states will provide the country the necessary assistance, including the military, and will also provide the support at their disposal in exercising the right of collective defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.”
The following countries are members of this alliance:
1. Armenia
To quote Britannica, Armenia is a multiparty unitary republic. Its legislative authority is vested in the 105-member National Assembly. Members of the body are elected for five-year terms.
This body is authorized to approve budgets, ratify treaties, and declare war.
In 1936, Armenia was once part of the unitary Soviet Union. Armedia then declared their independence on September 23, 1991.
2. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a country with the largest area in Central Asia. This country was also part of the Soviet Union and became independent on December 16, 1991.
Kazakhstan is a country rich in mineral resources. However, the country had been in the spotlight of the world some time ago because of the unrest caused by this price increase.
As a result of these demonstrations, the CSTO sent their peacekeepers to Kazakhstan.
3. Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a former Soviet Union country. Kyrgyzstan declared their independence on 31 August 1991.
As many as a third of the population of Kyrgyzstan are Turkish Muslims. Kyrgyzstan’s population is also still relatively young. More than half of the country’s population is under 30, while nearly a third of the population is under 15.
Most of the country’s territory is highlands or mountains.
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