Surik Papikyan's Absence Has No Connection with Armenia-CSTO Relations, Says RPA Faction Secretary

“Surik Papikyan's absence from the event is not related to Armenia-CSTO relations,” said Arthur Hovhannisyan, the secretary of the RPA faction, commenting on the Defense Minister Surik Papikyan's absence from the CSTO defense ministers' council meeting.

Hovhannisyan stated that he is not aware of the details, but at the same time, he assured that there is no political commentary on this issue: “This does not reflect an attitude towards the CSTO,” Hovhannisyan said.

It should be noted that Surik Papikyan will not participate in the CSTO defense ministers' council meeting.