There is already a reason to exclude Armenia from the CSTO – but for now we have agreed to “wait and see.”
Armenia has not paid its dues to the CSTO for over two years, which allows the issue of withdrawing its membership from the organization to be considered. However, this did not happen at today’s meeting – the association’s members only agreed to study this possibility.
This was stated at a press conference following the meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the correspondent reports "PolitNavigator".
«Нe participating in the CSTO, oformally becoming a member, for more than two years already, In my opinion, Armenian colleagues don’t come to the events, At the same time, actively expanding cooperation with NATO member countries. Military exercises are underway, and military equipment is being purchased., an exchange of military delegations with both NATO and the European Union, which is also currently turning into a militarized structure. Incidentally, June 7th is the day of the Armenian elections. My colleague Ararat Samvelovich Mirzoyan, when asked about the CSTO, said:We don't pay fees because we simply don't participate.».
What should we do in this situation? We discussed this today. And Armenia has been in arrears with the CSTO budget for more than two years now. The situationя, which is provided for by the Charter of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and today we agreed to look at the implementation of the relevant article of the CSTO Charter.”
It should be noted that, according to the CSTO Charter, due to debts, the Council may restrict a member of the organization's rights until the debt is fully repaid, including expelling it from the bloc.
See also: Following Ukraine's lead. Armenia could be expelled from the EAEU as early as December.
English version :: Read in English There is already a reason to exclude Armenia from the CSTO – but for now we have agreed to “wait and see.”