CSTO: Armenia remains a member de jure but not de facto

Armenia does not participate in discussions within the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in practice, while legally remaining a member of the Russian-led security bloc, CSTO Secretary-General Taalatbek Masadykov said on August 27.

“You know, we have been discussing this issue for a long time. De facto, as of today, Armenia does not participate in discussions of issues within the CSTO,” Masadykov told TASS.

He noted that Yerevan has also stopped sending personnel and military servicemen to quota-based positions within the CSTO Secretariat.

“De facto, Armenia does not send its personnel or military servicemen to fill quota-based positions in the CSTO Secretariat, and for the third year now, Armenia has not paid its membership dues,” Masadykov said.

“But de jure, they remain members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation,” he added.

According to the CSTO secretary-general, Armenia has made a significant contribution to the organization’s development, while the Armenian people supported all initiatives of the country’s leadership at various times.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated from the parliamentary podium that he supported Armenia’s expulsion from the CSTO and would be pleased if it happened. According to him, this would free Yerevan from the dilemma of whether to leave the organisation.