Armenia interested in maintaining cooperation with Russia, despite some issues requiring discussion - Papikyan
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According to the Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, Armenia is interested in maintaining a high level of cooperation with Moscow, but there are objective issues that require a healthy and constructive discussion.
"I cannot speak about any new agreements with Russia at this time. However, I can say that official Yerevan is interested in keeping its cooperation with Moscow at a high level. But when we discuss the CSTO and try to address the events of 2022, then quickly jump to 2025 and claim that everything is going well, that is not the case," said Minister Papikyan during a press conference, summarizing the activities of 2024.
"We have objective questions, and I believe these questions should receive answers through healthy discussions. The depth and level of our future cooperation will also depend on these answers," Papikyan emphasized.
The Minister reminded that the Republic of Armenia has not suspended any document related to its bilateral cooperation with Moscow.
"We have not even officially canceled our membership in the CSTO, but de facto, we have no participation. It is not our fault that there is not a single officer from the Republic of Armenia in the CSTO," the Defense Minister stated.
Defense Minister Papikyan emphasized the importance of bilateral relations, stressing that they should be balanced and based on mutual respect. He added that the prerequisites for such cooperation must be established through joint efforts, not through statements or television programs.