Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov stated that Armenia continues to hold the status of an ally within the bloc and may resume active participation at any time.
“Armenia has been and remains our ally. We hope that in the foreseeable future, Armenia will return to full participation in the CSTO. All conditions and prerequisites for that are in place. We believe that the Armenian people are interested in creating a common security space in Eurasia. Moreover, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry announced in November that leaving the CSTO is not on the agenda,” he said, responding to questions about a possible Armenian withdrawal, according to TASS.
Tasmagambetov acknowledged that Armenia has frozen its participation in the organization, reflecting the current stance of the country's political leadership.
“As is known, Armenia has suspended its work in the CSTO, which reflects the current position of its political leadership toward the organization. This is a sovereign decision of an independent state, and no other country or organization can influence it,” he emphasized.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan had frozen its participation in the CSTO, claiming the organization had posed a threat to Armenia’s sovereignty. In December last year, he stated that Armenia’s relationship with the CSTO had reached the point of no return. At a security forum in Warsaw, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said the government is evaluating all risks associated with a potential withdrawal from the CSTO.
