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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he would be pleased if his country were expelled from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He made the statement in response to questions from lawmakers after presenting the government’s program. Armenia’s membership in the CSTO is currently suspended.
“I know that discussions are underway in the CSTO, and, by the way, the charter provides for this — a country can be expelled. And I would be very pleased if the organization decided to expel the Republic of Armenia from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, at least it would free us from the dilemma of whether or not to leave the organization”, Pashinyan said.
According to him, Armenia does not intend to intensify its work in the CSTO over the next five years. The country’s representatives do not participate in the organization’s events, and Armenia does not contribute to its budget. Nikol Pashinyan suspended Armenia’s participation in the CSTO after what he considered an unsatisfactory response from its allies to clashes with Azerbaijan several years ago.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has already responded to the Armenian prime minister’s statement.
“If Yerevan no longer needs membership in such an important organization for ensuring regional security in accordance with its national interests, then it is free to make the appropriate decision and leave the organization.
Until now, we have heard statements at various levels from representatives of the Armenian side who said that, yes, membership is suspended, but Armenia does not plan to leave for now. At least, these are the statements we have heard so far”, he said.