On June 23, 2023, at the initiative of the Secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the State Social University of the Russian Federation, a meeting was held in Moscow under the title “Analysis and forecast of the activities of “soft power” institutions in the area of responsibility of CSTO”. Leaders and representatives of the think tanks of the CSTO’s member states participated in it in a mixed-present and virtual way.
At the conference, the report on the topic «On the implementation of the «soft power» methods of foreign states in the CSTO’s space», which was prepared, presented and analyzed by the CSTO Secretariat and the Russian State Social University. The following issues were discussed and assessed at the meeting:
- fundamental regulation of influential institutions of «soft power» in the CSTO’s states and their working methods»;
- possibilities of influence of CSTO on «soft power» institutions operating in the area of responsibility of the Organization;
- the goals and objectives of CSTO’s own programs in the format of «soft power».
On behalf of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Deputy Director of the Center for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Parviz Muhammadzoda, participated in the meeting and spoke on the topic “Analysis and forecast of the activities of “soft power” institutions in the area of responsibility of CSTO”: a view from Tajikistan».
During his speech, he particularly noted that the Republic of Tajikistan considers the expansion of comprehensive cooperation with its partners to strengthen national and state security as one of the priority areas of the country’s foreign policy, and considers its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) a response to national interests. The activities of the Republic of Tajikistan within the framework of CSTO pursue the goal of creating effective means of combating the threats and dangers of the modern world. Therefore, the state’s membership in this Organization is one of the important factors for ensuring the state’s security and maintaining stability in the region.
The Republic of Tajikistan, as one of the founder states of the CSTO, has made a significant contribution to the expansion and provision of collective security in the area of responsibility of the CSTO throughout the history of this organization. It is worth mentioning that Tajikistan held the presidency of CSTO in 2003, 2007, 2015 and 2021. One of the most important events of Tajikistan’s presidency in CSTO was that on August 23, 2021, an extraordinary session of the Social Security Council was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Chairman of the Public Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), his excellency Emomali Rahmon. It is worth noting that during the current presidency, for the first time, the concept of the chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Collective Security Treaty Organization in 2020-2021 was developed and approved by the President of the country.
Parviz Muhmmadzoda made the following statements regarding the issues discussed in the meeting:
-In the first issue, in our opinion, it is important for CSTO’s member states to understand the concept of «soft power» at the moment. In connection with this issue, we are of the opinion that formulation and development of a system of generally accepted standards, at the same time, a monitoring system is a priority. This allows for timely tracking of this process.
-Regarding the second question, it can be noted that the Collective Security Treaty Organization has great capacity and opportunities in terms of influence. It is appropriate to identify the key institutions among the CSTO’s member states, taking into account their priority areas.
Regarding the third issue, it can be said that the goals and tasks of the «soft power» of CSTO should be aimed at achieving the goals and objectives of the Organization.
One of the directions of «soft power» is the formation of a positive image of the mentioned Organization, then the use of «soft power» in the fight against the ideology of extremism and terrorism, the development of informational and analytical materials to strengthen the position of CSTO. Conducting various seminars and trainings is also one of the most effective ways of building «soft power».
In conclusion, it can be said that the Republic of Tajikistan is always a supporter of constructive dialogue with all CSTO’s states in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Organization’s own programs in the format of «soft power» and the possibilities of influence of CSTO on the institutions which have character of destruction «soft power» in the area of responsibility of CSTO.
The participants of the consultation discussed and evaluated the situation and prospects for the further development of the CSTO activity, coordinating the actions and activities of the CSTO’s member states in the fundamental regulation of the influencing institutions of «soft power» in the CSTO’s states and their work methods; they emphasized the possibilities of CSTO influence on «soft power» institutions operating in the area of responsibility of the Organization and the goals and tasks of CSTO’s own programs within the framework of «soft power» and gave satisfactory answers to the questions raised.
It should note that Secretary General of the CSTO I. N. Tamagambetov and leaders and representatives of think tanks of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and other experts participated in this event and expressed their views.
The conference was held in the spirit of sincerity, good understanding and constructive dialogue.
Press service of the
Center for Strategic Research under the
President of the Republic of Tajikistan
