There was no discussion of removing Armenia from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) at the meeting of the organization’s council.
CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov stated this in a briefing with journalists, also speaking about applying Article 25 of the CSTO charter with regard to Armenia.
“The question of removing Armenia from the CSTO was not on the agenda. When Armenia decides to repay the outstanding arrears in membership fees, it will restore its full participation in the work of the CSTO, both in terms of seconding personnel and participating in the organization’s activities. The decision depends on Armenia’s leadership.
Over the past three years Armenia has paid neither its membership fees nor sent its personnel to the CSTO secretariat or the joint staff. In fact, although Armenia was technically present at the meetings of the Permanent Council, it did not take part in any discussion and made no contribution to that work. Therefore, the agenda includes the question of applying Article 25 of the CSTO charter, an article which in essence describes the situation that has in practice already been taking place for almost three years,” the CSTO secretary general said.
Taalatbek Masadykov also added that in previous years Armenia and the Armenian people made a very positive and constructive contribution to the work of the CSTO.
