Armenia de facto withdrawn from CSTO, says organization's secretary-general

Armenia has de facto already withdrawn from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said CSTO Secretary-General Taalaibek Masadykov in an interview with TASS.

Masadykov reported that they send documents for internal national coordination and forward everything to Armenia, but on every issue they receive a response that "the Armenian side does not participate in the discussion or decision-making." According to him, the organization's work continues, decisions are being made, Armenia receives weekly reports, but does not participate in major activities and exercises.

The secretary-general believes that Article 25 of the CSTO Charter applies in this case, noting that "they have de facto already withdrawn independently."

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated in parliament that he supports Armenia's exclusion from the CSTO and would be pleased if it occurred. He also indicated that over the next five years Armenia does not intend to strengthen its participation in the organization, as interest in it has been exhausted.