٠٠:٠٢:٤٧Mandatory credit: Armenian Foreign Ministry
At the Global Armenian Summit in Yerevan on Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan launched a scathing critique of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), stating that the organisation threatens Armenia’s national security, sovereignty, and future existence.
Pashinyan declared, "We have suspended our membership in the CSTO not only because the organisation fails to fulfil its obligations to ensure Armenia’s security but also because we believe that the CSTO poses threats to the security, future existence, sovereignty, and statehood of Armenia."
He suggested that Armenia is approaching a 'point of no return' in its relationship with the CSTO and indicated that the country would only consider reinstating its membership if its concerns are addressed.
"It’s been exactly two years since we’ve defined our priorities, and there have been no answers so far. It’s clear they won’t follow. Until these answers are spoken out, Armenia is getting further away from the CSTO by the second," Pashinyan added.
In response, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov strongly disagreed with Armenia’s stance but assured that Moscow would not sever diplomatic relations with Yerevan.
"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any danger or threat to Armenia's sovereignty. On the contrary, this organisation is meant to protect the sovereignty of its member states. And we shall patiently convey this message to the Armenian leadership," Peskov stated.
Armenia had previously announced on February 23 that it was 'freezing' its participation in the CSTO, citing the organisation's failure to meet its security obligations, which contributed to renewed conflict in Karabakh.
The CSTO, comprising Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, has faced criticism following the 2020 ceasefire agreement in Karabakh and subsequent flare-ups of violence.
The conflict in Karabakh intensified again on September 19, 2023, when Baku accused Yerevan of shelling Azerbaijani positions, leading to a counter-terrorism operation by Azerbaijan.
On September 20, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic announced a ceasefire, and by September 28, its leader signed a decree to dissolve the republic, effective January 1, 2024.
CSTO 'poses threat' to Armenia's security, sovereignty, future existence - PM Pashinyan
At the Global Armenian Summit in Yerevan on Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan launched a scathing critique of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), stating that the organisation threatens Armenia’s national security, sovereignty, and future existence.
Pashinyan declared, "We have suspended our membership in the CSTO not only because the organisation fails to fulfil its obligations to ensure Armenia’s security but also because we believe that the CSTO poses threats to the security, future existence, sovereignty, and statehood of Armenia."
He suggested that Armenia is approaching a 'point of no return' in its relationship with the CSTO and indicated that the country would only consider reinstating its membership if its concerns are addressed.
"It’s been exactly two years since we’ve defined our priorities, and there have been no answers so far. It’s clear they won’t follow. Until these answers are spoken out, Armenia is getting further away from the CSTO by the second," Pashinyan added.
In response, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov strongly disagreed with Armenia’s stance but assured that Moscow would not sever diplomatic relations with Yerevan.
"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any danger or threat to Armenia's sovereignty. On the contrary, this organisation is meant to protect the sovereignty of its member states. And we shall patiently convey this message to the Armenian leadership," Peskov stated.
Armenia had previously announced on February 23 that it was 'freezing' its participation in the CSTO, citing the organisation's failure to meet its security obligations, which contributed to renewed conflict in Karabakh.
The CSTO, comprising Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, has faced criticism following the 2020 ceasefire agreement in Karabakh and subsequent flare-ups of violence.
The conflict in Karabakh intensified again on September 19, 2023, when Baku accused Yerevan of shelling Azerbaijani positions, leading to a counter-terrorism operation by Azerbaijan.
On September 20, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic announced a ceasefire, and by September 28, its leader signed a decree to dissolve the republic, effective January 1, 2024.
Mandatory credit: Armenian Foreign Ministry
At the Global Armenian Summit in Yerevan on Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan launched a scathing critique of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), stating that the organisation threatens Armenia’s national security, sovereignty, and future existence.
Pashinyan declared, "We have suspended our membership in the CSTO not only because the organisation fails to fulfil its obligations to ensure Armenia’s security but also because we believe that the CSTO poses threats to the security, future existence, sovereignty, and statehood of Armenia."
He suggested that Armenia is approaching a 'point of no return' in its relationship with the CSTO and indicated that the country would only consider reinstating its membership if its concerns are addressed.
"It’s been exactly two years since we’ve defined our priorities, and there have been no answers so far. It’s clear they won’t follow. Until these answers are spoken out, Armenia is getting further away from the CSTO by the second," Pashinyan added.
In response, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov strongly disagreed with Armenia’s stance but assured that Moscow would not sever diplomatic relations with Yerevan.
"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any danger or threat to Armenia's sovereignty. On the contrary, this organisation is meant to protect the sovereignty of its member states. And we shall patiently convey this message to the Armenian leadership," Peskov stated.
Armenia had previously announced on February 23 that it was 'freezing' its participation in the CSTO, citing the organisation's failure to meet its security obligations, which contributed to renewed conflict in Karabakh.
The CSTO, comprising Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, has faced criticism following the 2020 ceasefire agreement in Karabakh and subsequent flare-ups of violence.
The conflict in Karabakh intensified again on September 19, 2023, when Baku accused Yerevan of shelling Azerbaijani positions, leading to a counter-terrorism operation by Azerbaijan.
On September 20, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic announced a ceasefire, and by September 28, its leader signed a decree to dissolve the republic, effective January 1, 2024.