PM: Armenia more likely to leave CSTO than resume full membership

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that a withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) appears more likely than a restoration of Armenia’s active membership in the alliance.

“It is more probable that Armenia will exit the CSTO than it is for us to unlock our membership in the organization,” Pashinyan said, Caliber.Az informs, citing Armenian media outlets.

Speaking at a press conference in Yerevan, Prime Minister also confirmed Armenia’s aspiration to join the European Union.

“Our European partners have asked whether the recently adopted law initiating the EU accession process means Armenia seeks full EU membership. My answer is: yes, Armenia wants to become a member of the EU,” he said.

Pashinyan acknowledged that the path toward membership would be challenging, emphasising that EU accession requires unanimous agreement from all member states and alignment with EU standards.

He underscored Armenia’s commitment to comprehensive reforms and its long-term European strategy.

“This strategy will be implemented regardless,” he noted.

“We will pursue reforms until Armenia objectively meets EU standards. At that point, there will be two possible outcomes: either Armenia is accepted into the EU, or it is not. But even in the latter case, Armenia will have become a country aligned with European standards.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev