Thursday, February 29 2024 22:04

ArmInfo.The Armenian government is not changing their foreign policy vector; Yerevan has  no decision to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan told reporters on February 29.

"The issue we are discussing is not about changing any vector or  anything like that. We are discussing what to do to reduce the  dangers that may threaten Armenia. There is no decision to leave the  CSTO, but we do not rule it out. Our society also talks about it, one  might say, it makes such a demand," Simonyan said.

He noted that he does not know what the situation should be in order  to directly raise the question of the advisability of continuing  membership in the CSTO. "There must be an attack on our country?  Sanctions have been applied, what else should happen? According to  our assessment, our ally did not help us in any way in more than 10  episodes during military operations by Azerbaijan. They do not  directly say that they will not help, but in reality they will not  help, each time finding reasons, they say, we'll look, evaluate,  understand," the NA Speaker emphasized, adding at the same time that  Armenia's resources are not limitless to expect real steps from the  allies, be it within the CSTO or direct application bilateral  agreement.  The speaker noted that excuses are often heard from  allies, saying that you didn't do something, and that's why we don't  react. "And where, in this case, are their interests and allied  obligations?  In the end, you cannot constantly throw off these  obligations," Simonyan said.

He also noted that the current security system does not work in the  case of Armenia, which causes more than serious concerns for official  Yerevan. "You all saw what happened with Artsakh, Hin Tagher,  Khtsaberd, Sev Lich, Jermuk, with Armenian prisoners. Meanwhile, our  political and human resources are not limitless. What else needs to  happen?" the speaker again asked the question, that the alternative  to all this should be the use by the Armenian side of all available  instruments, including through the CSTO.  Simonyan emphasized that  Yerevan is currently trying to acquire weapons from all possible  places to protect the state. "And if these steps interfere with any  system security, this is their problem. It is obvious that the allies  are not fulfilling their obligations. We have not had any discussions  regarding the possibility of NATO participation in maintaining the  security of the Armenian state, just as there have been no such  discussions regarding the EU. However, we will move in the direction  those forces that will help us ensure the security of the Armenian  state to the maximum extent," said the Speakerof the National  Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.