CSTO to Appoint New Secretary General on January 1, New Head Becomes Known

It has become clear who will lead the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the new year, Orda.kz reports.

Beginning January 1, Imangali Tasmagambetov will be replaced as CSTO Secretary General by Kyrgyzstan’s Taalatbek Masadykov. The announcement was made by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, according to TASS.

Masadykov, who currently serves as Deputy Secretary General, will take over the post “rather smoothly” after formal procedures are completed.

Ushakov noted that Tasmagambetov will deliver a report on regional security at the November 27 summit in Bishkek, after which he will be awarded the CSTO First Degree Honorary Badge.

As previously reported, CSTO countries met to select Tasmagambetov’s successor for a three-year term. Masadykov’s candidacy was reviewed at a joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers and security council secretaries.

It also recently became known that Tasmagambetov was added to the database of the Ukrainian website Peacemaker, which accuses him of supporting Russia’s aggression. 

Tasmagambetov has previously served as prime minister, akim of Almaty and Astana, defense minister, and ambassador to Russia.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov