Russia’s interests have acted against those of Armenia in recent years: Armenian parliament speaker

ANKARA

Russia’s interests have been conflicting with those of Armenia and the Armenian people for the last few years, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Yerevan on his country’s relations with the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Simonyan said Armenia did not intend to leave the CSTO.

He noted, however, that the organization had responsibilities determined by signed agreements but did not fulfill them.

Simonyan said the CSTO proved to be problematic with its activities, statements and discourses.

“Being offended is not a political criterion,” he said with regards to claims that Armenia has taken steps against Russia and the CSTO, including the dismissal of CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov, and that is why Russia became offended and left Armenia alone against Azerbaijan.

“Secondly, there are political interests, and these interests have acted against the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people in the last few years. This fact has been proven by statements made and other developments,” he added.

Armenia withdrew its request for assistance from the CSTO on Nov. 20.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and informed him that he would not attend the CSTO summit to be held in Minsk on Thursday.

It was earlier announced by Armenia that the ministers of foreign affairs and defense would not attend the CSTO Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers meeting held in Minsk on Wednesday.

• Alen Simonyan
• Armenia
• Collective Security Treaty Organization
• CSTO
• Russia