Armenian Prime Minister wonders why the country is still in the CSTO
Kyiv • UNN
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan questions Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) due to the lack of response to Azerbaijan's border violations in 2021 and 2022.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he had no answer to the question of why the country continues to be a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. He said this in an interview with the British media, Radio Liberty reports," UNN reports .
Pashinyan noted that the CSTO did not apply response mechanisms during the violation of Armenia's borders by the Azerbaijani armed forces in 2021 and 2022, saying that the borders are undiluted.
He emphasized that the CSTO does not exist as a mechanism that member states, Russia, Armenia and others can rely on.
Our society says to us: why do you continue to be a member of the CSTO? Frankly speaking, I have no answer to this question
Pashinyan expressed concern in Armenia about statements from Azerbaijan regarding reforms and modernization of the Armenian army.
According to the Prime Minister, no state can deny the right of another country to have a combat-ready army.
"It must be stated that having a capable army is sometimes used for war, but having a capable army is also important for peace, for the formation of the right balance of power," Pashinyan said.
"We are not preparing for war, we are preparing for peace. But on the other hand, while we are not sure that the Republic of Armenia will not be attacked, we must, of course, develop our defense capabilities," Pashinyan said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Armenia is now entering the process of demarcation, which is extremely important, in particular in terms of reducing security risks.
