Secretary General: CSTO continues to consider Armenia as an ally

ArmInfo.The CSTO continues to consider Armenia as an ally, despite the freezing of their  membership in the association, as stated by CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov to journalists  following the summit in Astana.

"As it is known, Armenia has temporarily suspended its participation  in the organization. This decision reflects the current political  stance of the leadership of the Republic of Armenia towards the CSTO.  I must emphasize that this is a decision made by an independent  sovereign state, which cannot be influenced by any other state or  organization," the CSTO Secretary General said. "However, we still  consider Armenia to be our ally. We hope that Armenia will return to  full participation in the CSTO in the foreseeable future. Of course,  the issue of Armenia's position was also addressed at the CSTO  Council meeting," Tasmagambetov noted.