Drug trafficking in Central Asia

Collective Security Treaty Organization

Is CSTO an “acting player” in the world’s security

mechanism (in combatting drug

trafficking)?

Is there a need for this security organization in the

region?

CSTO – as the main security organization in the region

15th May 1992 as Collective Security Treaty in the framework of CIS

7th October 2002 - a sign of Charter in Tashkent founding the CSTO

6 Member states: Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Armenia

( Former members: Azerbaijan - 1999, Georgia – 1999, Uzbekistan – 2012)

4th February 2009 – agreement on creation of Collective Rapid Reaction Force

2010 – CSTO peacekeeping forces were established

“Principle of Collective Security”: aggression against one=aggression against all, the right to collective defense (Art.51 UN Charter), informing and confirming with UNSC

The CSTO as a multifunctional organization

(combination of two "baskets" in one): counteraction to conventional external military

threats (creation of a military alliance, merging of military infrastructures of six member countries)

counteraction to new threats (fight against drug trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism, etc.)

Intergovernmental Military Organization

Drug Trafficking

DRUGS violence and crime, transformation to extremist and terrorist groups, bribery and corruption, threat to human security and political stabilization

More than 2 mln people in CA – users of cannabis

Russia – the second largest heroin market in the world, after West Europe

1,8 mln users = 1.6% of population (37% are prevalent to HIV; 30-40 000 people are killed by drugs annually)

CSTO activities …

“Kanal”(Channel) - Anti-narcotic strategy since 2003: 30.4 tons were seized, 12782 drug criminals, stopped several channels of supply to Europe from Asia in 2008

Engaged with anti-drug work of OSCE in 2009, financial support to train Afghan antidrug policemen at Domodedovo

“Kanal-Vostok” (Channel-East) - against drugs from Afghanistan and China

Joint anti-drug operation b/w CSTO and NATO: complex division of duties, for 2012-2013

+ SCO, CARICC in operative investigation of their activities and sharing information

- Finding more effective ways – alternative development?

Solving on interstate bilateral basis

Over 300 Afghan drug enforcement officers have already been trained in Russia over the past five years with support of US

2011 – US and Russia anti-drug cooperation: dozens of Russian and US drug agents seized about $110 million worth of drugs and weapons in Afghanistan

Successful operation “Octopus”, fall 2011 along with Tajikistan and Afghanistan

Conclusion

CSTO vital for Central Asia!

“Active player”?! +/- For more effective constructive

cooperation From consensus problem toward finding

“common denominator” for joint actions, learning to reconcile their national interests at a new level

Thank

you