Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that a rapprochement between Armenia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is not expected, though a final decision regarding a de-facto withdrawal from the alliance has not yet been made.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Pashinyan made these remarks during a briefing for journalists on local television channels. The Prime Minister noted that his government's platform explicitly excludes steps toward improving relations within the CSTO framework. "Whether we will de-facto leave the CSTO is another matter; I cannot say that now. We will act according to the situation," Pashinyan said, adding that no rapprochement with the organization is currently on the agenda.
This statement follows Pashinyan's previous announcement that Armenia had frozen its participation in the organization, citing what he described as threats to the country's sovereignty. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also recently commented on the situation, noting that the Armenian government is currently evaluating all potential risks associated with a formal exit from the military bloc.
The tension between Armenia and the CSTO, a Russia-led military alliance, has escalated significantly following the 44-day war in 2020 and subsequent border developments. Armenia has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the organization's response to regional security challenges. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has consistently emphasized that regional peace and security must be based on the principles of international law and the mutual recognition of territorial integrity, particularly following the restoration of its sovereignty over the Garabagh region.
