Pashinyan: State interests will guide Armenia in relations with CSTO

YEREVAN, January 10 – RIA Novosti. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a press conference that the Armenian side will be guided by the interests of the state in its relations with the CSTO.

The head of government was asked about the possibility of the country’s withdrawal from the CSTO.

“As for the CSTO… I have spoken publicly. It is a matter of perspective. Can we say that Armenia will leave the CSTO? Maybe the CSTO will leave Armenia? Or the whole situation (in the region – ed.) State interests of Armenia guide us and we will continue to act in line with the interests of the state while clarifying, protecting or changing our position on any issue.”

On Tuesday, Pashinyan said that the Ministry of Defense of Armenia informed the CSTO about the inappropriateness of holding the organization’s exercises in the country at least in 2023. Vladislav Shchegrikovich, the press secretary of the CSTO joint headquarters, confirmed that the headquarters received this information and said that the possibility of exercises on the territory of other states is being considered.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the framework of international military cooperation in 2023 it is planned to conduct joint exercises with units of the Ground Forces of the RF Armed Forces and units of the national armies of foreign states. Outside the Russian Federation, the joint exercise “Indestructible Brotherhood-2023” of the CSTO peacekeeping troops was planned to be held in Armenia.