ArmInfo. Official Yerevan is interested in maintaining high level relations with Moscow. This was stated by RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan during a press conference in Yerevan on January 15.
<However, when we talk about the CSTO and the events of 2020, objective questions arise that must be answered through healthy discussions. The depth of relations depends on this. You can't simply jump from 2022 straight to 2025,> the head of the Armenian defense department noted. At the same time, he highlighted that the Armenian side has not annulled any bilateral cooperation document with Moscow. <We have not even officially terminated our membership in the CSTO, although in reality, we do not participate in the organization. It is not our fault that the CSTO is not present in Armenia. However, I must note that when we talk about bilateral cooperation, it should be balanced and based on mutual respect,> Papikyan said. In response to the remark about whether there are prerequisites for this, the Minister of Defense retorted that prerequisites are not one-sided and cannot be determined through television programs. They should be healthy.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Armenia and Russia continue to remain strategic allies. <Armenian-Russian relations continue, with both Armenia and Russia remaining strategic allies. There is a corresponding agreement on this. No one avoids this and it is objective,> he continued. Regarding Russia's failure to fulfill agreements on arms supplies and Armenia's demand for the money paid back, Papikyan referenced the Armenian Minister of Finance's statement at a press conference. The Minister had noted that an agreement had been reached between the finance ministries of Armenia and Russia to deduct this amount from the state debt.
Speaking about further cooperation with the CSTO, Papikyan reiterated that the events that took place from 2020 to 2022 and continue, including attacks in the information field, indicate that Armenia must solve its problems on its own. This must be done while balancing them with foreign policy support, international legitimacy, a combat-ready army and a democratic country. <Every day confirms that as long as the partners in the Organization maintain their position, Armenia's stance will continue to be based on this. This is derived from the Armenia's interests, > he concluded.