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CSTO’s ‘Doors Open’ to Armenia, Putin’s Aide Says
Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov said the doors are open to Armenia to participate in all activities of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, in the wake of Yerevan, once again, choosing to not take part in a gathering of group’s of foreign, defense and security ministers set for Thursday in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana.
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that Armenia will not be represented at the CSTO ministerial meetings, in line with Yerevan’s earlier decision to freeze its membership in the Russia-led security organization.
Russian officials have criticized the Armenian government for its posturing and have accused Yerevan of pursuing a Westward leaning policy, which could be detrimental for regional security. Earlier this year, Ushakov was among Russian officials who said that Armenia’s decision to not take part in CSTO ventures could result in its standing in other regional platforms, including the Eurasian Economic Union.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office announced Wednesday that he would chair the upcoming EEU session, scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia next month.
“Russia respects the independent course of Armenia, which has suspended its active participation in the CSTO. However, Yerevan retains membership in the organization, and the doors are ‘open’ for it to all CSTO events,” Ushakov said on Tuesday.
“We do not question the right of Armenian partners to independently determine their course,” the diplomat said. “De jure, Yerevan remains a full member of the CSTO and thus retains all the corresponding rights and obligations,” he added.
“The doors are open for Armenia’s physical return to work in the CSTO, and we hope that Armenian representatives will resume their cooperation within the framework of this organization sooner or later,” Ushakov concluded.
Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia, Sergei Kopyrkin, told the Izvestia newspaper on Monday that Russia is committed to guaranteeing Armenia’s security and encouraged the Armenian government to take part in regional initiatives, such as the CSTO.