Pashinyan comments on possibility of withdrawing from CSTO

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. The CSTO’s actions do not address its obligations towards Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said.

Pashinyan was asked at an online Q&A with the public why Armenia isn’t withdrawing from the military bloc and whether there’s lack of political will.

Pashinyan said that Armenia has political will and a decision will be made based on necessity, which will stem from Armenia’s interests.

“Why aren’t we making a decision, or are we going to make a decision on withdrawing from the CSTO or suspending our membership in the CSTO? We will decide based on Armenia’s state interests. At this moment if we have or haven’t made any decision, our guideline for orientating has been the state interest of Armenia. Our records show that the CSTO’s de-facto actions or inactions do not address its obligations towards the Republic of Armenia. In this regard the CSTO’s actions do not meet Armenia’s interests. And we have been raising this issue in a transparent manner,” Pashinyan said.

He said that Armenia wants to do everything until the last chance to fully understand the CSTO and make its stance understandable for the CSTO.