Armenia Has De Facto Withdrawn From CSTO, Secretary General Says

MOSCOW — Armenia has effectively withdrawn from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), according to the organization’s Secretary General, Taalatbek Masadykov.

“Armenia has already de facto left the organization,” Masadykov said, explaining that although Armenia continues to receive official CSTO documents, it no longer participates in discussions or decision-making.

“We send documents for internal coordination, including to Armenia. On every issue, we receive a response stating that the Armenian side does not participate in the discussion or adoption of decisions but does not object to decisions being made by a limited group of member states,” he said.

Masadykov indicated that CSTO member-state leaders could address Armenia’s membership status during the Collective Security Council meeting scheduled for November 11 in Moscow.

On October 22, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that, unlike the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the CSTO charter provides a mechanism for expelling a member state. He questioned why the organization had not exercised that option.

Responding to Pashinyan’s remarks, Masadykov explained that Armenia’s expulsion could be considered if the issue were formally placed on the meeting’s agenda. Such a proposal would typically come from the country holding the CSTO’s rotating chairmanship or from another member-state leader.

The Secretary General also addressed Armenia’s current status under the organization’s charter, noting that failure to pay membership dues and fill allocated positions results in the loss of voting rights.

Nevertheless, he confirmed that an Armenian representative continues to attend the CSTO Permanent Council’s weekly meetings.

“Armenia’s representative listens and probably reports back to the capital about what we discuss and what decisions we make,” Masadykov said.