The key facts

  • The CSTO summit will be held on November 11 in Moscow
  • CSTO Secretary General Masadykov suggested Armenia's membership could be discussed
  • Pashinyan earlier stated that Yerevan does not object to expulsion from the organization

Armenia's membership may be included in the summit agenda

The question of Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization may be raised at the organization's upcoming summit. This was reported by CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov, as cited by RIA Novosti. The next CSTO summit is scheduled for November 11 and will take place in Moscow.

Statements from Yerevan and the Kremlin

On September 17, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the republic would not object if it were expelled from the CSTO, and called on others not to threaten Yerevan with such a step. In August, press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov pointed to Armenia's right to independently decide the question of its further membership in the organization. According to him, if the country, due to its national interests, no longer needs to participate in the work of 'such an important organization for ensuring regional security,' it is free to leave it. At the same time, Peskov noted that Yerevan's movement toward the European Union could have more significant consequences for it.

Context

Earlier, the CSTO Secretary General had called Armenia an ally.