CSTO continues to regard Armenia as a full member, Secretary General says

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) continues to consider Armenia a full-fledged member of the alliance despite statements made by some Armenian political figures, CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov said following a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of CSTO member states.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Masadykov noted that Armenia’s status within the organization was not discussed during the session.

“This issue was not discussed at the meeting. I believe it is a political matter, and up to this point, the Collective Security Treaty Organization considers Armenia a full member of the CSTO,” the Secretary General said.

According to Masadykov, the organization has not received any official decisions or notifications from the Armenian government regarding a change in its membership status.

“No other instructions or decisions have been received from the Republic of Armenia,” he stated.

The CSTO chief also downplayed public statements made by politicians in Armenia and other countries concerning Yerevan’s relationship with the alliance, describing such rhetoric as part of political discourse that may vary depending on electoral circumstances.

“The rhetoric coming from political figures in Armenia or other states, whether before or after elections, can differ,” Masadykov said.