Video: Some CSTO Countries Express Stances That Undermine Armenian Interests After the War - Abrahamyan

When Azerbaijan invaded Armenia’s sovereign territory in Gegharkunik and Syunik in May and November 2021, the Armenian authorities announced that they had appealed to the CSTO authorities. It remains unclear to this day whether the Armenian authorities properly followed the procedure for contacting the CSTO and whether Armenia's appeal has been the subject of discussion at various levels within the CSTO.

This was stated today, on June 10, during a protest action of the 'Resistance' movement on Baghramyan Avenue, by Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the 'Armenia' faction in the National Assembly. According to him, this is important because Armenia is a founding member of the CSTO and in 2021, the Armenian territory was subjected to Azerbaijani aggression twice. To this day, the public has not received an answer regarding whether the CSTO received Armenia's proper request and whether it has been subject to discussion.

“Secondly, considering that today in Yerevan the meeting of the foreign ministers of CSTO member states is taking place, there is another important question. It has been discussed many times within the CSTO that the member states' positions on foreign policy issues and matters concerning each other should be harmonious. After the 44-day war, some CSTO member states have expressed positions that do not align with the views of allied states in any way. Such statements, which undermine Armenian interests, should not have a place within the CSTO framework. Issues like this should become subjects of discussion at such events. This government has not yet answered how it views the inclusion of Armenia's interests in this organization and how Armenia should proceed. I believe that the CSTO does not have an alternative for Armenia as a military-political alliance in the South Caucasus. However, it should be understood how to make the CSTO mechanisms effective,” said the MP.

He recalled that during the 44-day war, Armenia did not appeal to the CSTO. “Imagine a scenario where Armenia had the opportunity for CSTO intervention, and with their presence at the borders of Armenia, we could direct our combat-capable corps to the main front. We had military formations that were deployed in various directions along the borders of Armenia where no combat operations were taking place, but they had no opportunity to deploy their full potential. Had those military formations been directed towards Artsakh, we would not be facing the situation we have today in Artsakh. Of course, there are many things to discuss and do regarding the CSTO, but it is clear that under this government, Armenia’s interests cannot be represented. We could have worked effectively with our allies only if Armenia were to function without Nikol,” concluded Tigran Abrahamyan.