ArmInfo.Armenia initiated the process of early suspension of powers of the current CSTO Secretary General, since there were internal legal problems with him, Acting Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said in an interview with Tass.
So, answering the question of whether it is possible today to consider that Armenia has lost the post of the CSTO Secretary General, The Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia reminded that the CSTO is a platform for the military-political cooperation of six security partners.
"If, in response to your question, I repeat that Armenia has been claiming all this time, then it will be possible to conclude that the post of general secretary should remain with Armenia, and for this we have a good human potential. At the same time, the issue is based on: firstly, the regulatory framework does not provide for any specific decisions to resolve issues related to the impossibility of executing the powers of the CSTO Secretary General; secondly, decisions are made by consensus; thirdly, authority, viability, and effectiveness of the organization are extremely important for us. As a member of the CSTO, we are interested in a strong organization and are contributing to this matter, "he said, adding that Armenia had initiated the process of early suspension of powers of the current CSTO Secretary General, since he had legal problems of an internal nature. "And they did it in order to differentiate the organization and our internal affairs from the very beginning. Our approach is aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the organization as a whole, strengthening the consolidation of all six CSTO members in a broad sense. So, answering your question, I will say no "It does not mean. There are six equal members in the CSTO, and decisions there are taken by consensus," he stressed. To note, the post of CSTO Secretary General until November of this year was held by Yuri Khachaturov. July 26 Special Investigation Service Of Armenia, Khachaturov was charged with overthrowing a constitutional court on July 28, the court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan released Khachaturov on a written undertaking not to leave the town after paying a deposit of 5 million drams ($ 10,000).
On November 2, by the decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council, Khachaturov was dismissed from the post of Secretary General of the organization. The Armenian side initiated early review. After that, "Kommersant", citing its sources, reported that the CSTO was discussing the appointment of Secretary General of the Security Council of Belarus Stanislav Zasya by the Secretary General. This information has not been confirmed or refuted. Meanwhile, on November 8 in Astana, the leaders of the CSTO were to elect a new secretary general of the organization, but the issue was moved to the agenda of the meeting of the heads of state on December 6 in St. Petersburg. The Armenian side insists that the post of Secretary General should remain with Armenia, since this issue is not connected with this or that person, but with the statutory norms of the country rotation.