Pashinyan Stands Firm: CSTO to Remain Without a Secretary General for Another Year

The Russian publication "Kommersant" has addressed the issue of the delay in appointing a new Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), noting that the organization may remain without a full-fledged Secretary General for another year due to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's uncompromising stance.

"We expect the appointment of a Secretary General next year. There is no confrontation in the organization; we are working in accordance with the program," the publication quotes a source from the secretariat.

It has been reported that the issue of appointing a Secretary General has become almost impossible due to Pashinyan's intransigence. It is also noted that Yerevan is in favor of changing the legal framework of the organization, particularly regarding the rules for the appointment of the CSTO Secretary General.

It should be recalled that the candidacy of Stanislav Zas has been approved by five CSTO member states, with the exception of Armenia. The presidents of these countries met with Zas and expressed their support for him.

Only Pashinyan has not accepted Zas. It is reported that the Armenian side expected that after recalling the former Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov from this position, he would be replaced by another candidate from Armenia and continue to serve until the designated term for Armenia was completed.