Armenia declines participation in CSTO meetings in Astana, but backs adoption of planned documents

Armenia will not participate in the meetings of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Astana on November 28, Russia's Permanent Representative to the CSTO, Viktor Vasilyev, said in a statement to Russian media.

However, Yerevan has no objections to the adoption of the planned documents at these sessions, Caliber.Az reports.

On November 28, Astana will host a joint session of the CSTO's Foreign Ministers Council, Defense Ministers Council, and Security Council Secretaries Committee, followed by the Collective Security Council session (summit).

"Unfortunately, our Armenian colleagues have declined to attend the event in person. However, they have no objections to the adoption of all documents scheduled for approval, even in a limited format," Vasilyev said.

Notably, on November 28, 2024, Astana will host a series of key CSTO meetings, including a joint session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers, and the Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils, as well as a session of the Collective Security Council. 

The CSTO Secretary General, Imangali Tasmagambetov, and the Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Andrei Serdyukov, will attend the events.

The discussions will focus on the military and political situation within the collective security regions, evaluate the outcomes of CSTO cooperation, and explore future directions for strengthening the collective security framework. A significant part of the discussions will also revolve around preparations for the joint commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Additionally, the Kyrgyz Republic is expected to present its priorities for its chairmanship of the Organization in 2025.

By Khagan Isayev