Russia hopes for full resumption of Armenia’s partnership in CSTO, says MFA Spokesperson

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YEREVAN, September 4. /ARKA/. Russia expects that in the interests of Armenia's future security, as well as the overall security of the region, the partnership between Armenia and Russia within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be fully restored, Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated on Wednesday./pp

I often read the statements made by official Yerevan on this matter. I have already pointed out that they recently claimed the CSTO had left Armenia's territory, then started saying they had 'frozen' within the organization. I would like to understand who is 'freezing' whom, Zakharova remarked during a briefing on Wednesday./pp

She emphasized that each word should carry not only meaning but also, if spoken by an official representative, responsibility./pp

Yerevan de jure remains a full-fledged member of the organization, retaining the associated rights and obligations. However, the current leadership of Armenia seems to be moving away from such cooperation, which contradicts the interests of the Armenian people, Zakharova claimed./pp

She cautioned that playing with words may lead to no good, especially considering that the region has already faced numerous challenges./pp

In February 2024, Armenia announced it was freezing its membership in the CSTO and later refused to pay membership fees to the organization. On June 12, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the next logical step in Armenia's relationship with the CSTO would be to exit the organization. However, shortly afterward, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan clarified that the Prime Minister meant that the Armenian authorities would decide when to leave the organization on their own terms./p br br