Becoming a CSTO partner will be facilitated

The Russian government has approved and presented to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin the draft of amendments to the CSTO regulations. It applies to observers and partners of the organization. 

According to the project, the procedure for becoming a CSTO partner will be simplified. For example, states and international organizations that are not CSTO members will be able to get partner status. Representatives of these countries will be able to cooperate with the organization and participate in practical activities.

Simultaneously with the changes, it was proposed to make additions regarding the norm of CSTO observers. In this way, observers will be able to be states or international organizations that will not even undertake to participate in the organization’s practical activities.

In addition, the Russian government proposed to the president of the country to sign a permit, which would allow not only the leaders of the country, but also the heads of the government to participate in the organization. This means that Armenia, which in 2018 made the transition to a parliamentary model of governance, will be able to continue its membership in the CSTO with the personal representation of the Prime Minister.