We Have Faced Security Challenges Within Our Borders, CSTO Mechanisms Have Played a Role: Pashinyan

We certainly face both internal and external challenges today, and in my assessment, both internal and external challenges are connected to the security situation. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with 1in.am, responding to a question about whether, after the end of the war, our urgent issue lies within Armenia or in developments surrounding Armenia.

“Essentially, we are in a phase of overcoming the consequences of the war. And, of course, there are consequences that are insurmountable. Specifically, I mean our fallen brothers, our martyrs, whom, unfortunately, we will never bring back. Overall, we certainly have both internal and external challenges today. And in my assessment, both internal and external challenges are tied to the security situation. This was the reason why immediately after the end of the war, I formulated the agenda of ensuring security and stability in Armenia and around Armenia as a primary issue. We cannot say that this issue is solved one hundred percent, but it seems that we are moving confidently in that direction.”

In response to a journalist's clarifying question about whether the discussion concerns a new security system, considering that the previous one failed, Pashinyan stated that, as before, we are currently within the same external security framework—specifically, that of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“And it must be noted, I have had the opportunity to say that in the past we had a certain public misunderstanding regarding the obligations of the Collective Security Treaty Organization towards us. For instance, many ask why the CSTO did not intervene militarily in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. The answer is simple; the CSTO obligations are defined within the internationally recognized borders of Armenia. Outside of that, essentially, there are no such obligations defined. And, of course, we have faced security challenges within our borders as well, and the mechanisms of the CSTO have played a certain role there. And we must acknowledge that,” Pashinyan added.

“As for our overall regional security system, we certainly need to engage in military reforms—structural reforms, substantive reforms, particularly regarding armaments and, in general, strategic content. In addition, we must also assess the situation we have in the region and evaluate the role and significance we possess in the region, assessing the relationships we maintain in the region. We must delineate both our strategic long-term agenda in the region and with the vicinity. This is perhaps one of the most important tasks,” he said.