Armenia’s possible departure from CSTO - sovereign choice - Russian FM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Armenia’s statements about the possibility of leaving the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) is its sovereign choice, but Moscow hopes that “no provisional administrations” will destroy ties between Russia and Armenia.

“Having become disillusioned with Russia and the CSTO, some Armenian leaders have announced that they will look for colleagues to strengthen their own security. This is a sovereign choice, the choice of the Armenian leadership. However, I still hope that the ties that have existed for centuries between the Russian people and the Armenian people cannot be destroyed by any temporary administration,” he told reporters following a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, Sputnik Armenia reports.

Lavrov added that Moscow is working with Azerbaijani colleagues to stabilise the situation in Garabagh to strengthen trust there, to create conditions for the resumption of normal life, the joint life of Armenians and Azerbaijanis. I hope that Yerevan should also be interested in it and will make efforts,” the minister said.