Pankin: Yerevan Attempts to Shift Responsibility for Its Decisions onto CSTO

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin told TASS that Armenia is again attempting to shift responsibility for its decisions onto member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Pankin noted that Russia sees "no reciprocal effort from the Armenian side," but rather new attempts to shift responsibility for their decisions onto others, TASS reported.

Pankin emphasized that Yerevan, which has frozen its membership and halted payment of contributions, legally remains a full member of the CSTO. According to him, the organization's charter provides for the suspension of voting rights until the debt on contributions is fully repaid. At the same time, Russia, according to the diplomat, continues to provide Armenia with the opportunity to participate in decision-making within the organization.

Commentioning on the upcoming CSTO summit in Moscow on November 11, Pankin noted that the session of the Collective Security Council will be the "culmination of Russia's presidency" in the organization. For approval by heads of state, a package of documents is planned to be submitted aimed at strengthening the CSTO's potential as a mechanism for maintaining regional stability. Summit participants also intend to "synchronize positions on current issues of international and regional agenda."