Karapetyan to Pashinyan: "If CSTO isn`t working, leave this  structure"

ArmInfo. If the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) isn't working, then Armenia shouldn't freeze its participation, but rather leave.

Narek Karapetyan, a member of the Strong Armenia party council,  stated this during a pre-election debate on Public Television,  addressing Nikol Pashinyan, the prime ministerial candidate from the  ruling Civil Contract party.

Karapetyan also questioned whether Armenia has another security  guarantor today. "What does it mean that Armenia has frozen its  participation in the CSTO? Have we just put this structure in the  refrigerator? Leave it if it's not working? If the country has  another security guarantor, leave this structure," said a member of  the political council of the Strong Armenia party.

Then, Karapetyan, again addressing Pashinyan, asked what guarantees  the Armenian prime minister was providing to the country and who, in  his understanding, should be the guarantor of the country's security  amid the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In response,  Pashinyan stated that the Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the  country's security. "The Republic of Armenia is the guarantor of the  security of its citizens. If necessary, we will leave the CSTO. We  will make such a decision; foreign agents will not decide what to do.  We will not allow Lukashenko (the President of Belarus - ed.) to  become our guarantor again," Pashinyan stated.

In turn, Karapetyan recalled that the Republic of Armenia, under its  current government, has not even been able to guarantee the security  of the Armenian population of Artsakh. He recalled that the people of  Artsakh had been under blockade for nine months because Pashinyan  recognized Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. He also recalled how  Pashinyan had previously stated that the OSCE Minsk Group (OSCE MG),  which included France, the United States, and Russia, was created  around the Artsakh issue to prevent peace in Armenia today. A member  of the political council of the Strong Armenia party warned that with  such statements, the Armenian prime minister could push the country  toward a new conflict. According to Karapetyan, the country is  essentially at a decisive stage today.

"We must overcome this decline. We must bring change to the country  together. We must have a strong world. Even the Foreign Intelligence  Service, in its 2026 report, speaks of a threat emanating from  Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Pashinyan assures us that there is no such  threat. We face serious challenges," Karapetyan warned.

In light of this, he called on Armenian citizens to go to the polls  and bring change to the country. "All regions of Armenia-Tavush,  Lori, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Armavir,  Ararat-go to the polls. Bring change to the country," Karapetyan  urged.

In conclusion, the member of the Strong Armenia party's political  council noted that not only pro-Armenian forces but also one  pro-Azerbaijani force were present at the debate. "Essentially, there  are 14 pro- Armenian forces and one pro-Azerbaijani force at today's  debate. And that one force is you," Karapetyan concluded, addressing  Pashinyan. As a reminder, Armenia has been boycotting CSTO events  since late 2022. In February 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan stated that Armenia had effectively frozen its  participation in the CSTO, as the organization had failed to fulfill  its obligations to the Republic, which could not go without  consequences. And on September 18, 2024, at the Second World Armenian  Summit, Pashinyan stated that the CSTO posed threats to Armenia's  security, its continued existence, sovereignty, and statehood.  Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 7, 2026.  Eighteen political forces-two blocs and 16 parties-are participating  in the elections. A total of 2,485,232 citizens have the right to  vote.