Lavrov: CSTO countries continue to consider Armenia its full-fledged member

Countries from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) continue to consider Armenia the organization’s full-fledged member, however, this status implies the observance of all obligations within the organization’s framework, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers.

"We still consider Armenia the full-fledged member of this organization but, undoubtedly, a full-fledged membership implies participation and observance of all obligations under the CSTO charter documents. Including paying membership fees, by the way," the top Russian diplomat said.

That said, he pointed out that the council’s participants "took note that [Armenia’s] Foreign Minister [Ararat Mirzoyan] has yet again refused to attend this event."

He claimed the people of Armenia will hardly benefit if the country’s leadership decides to turn away from its Eurasian neighbors and allies.

"We are not putting any pressure on Armenian ruling circles, we will expect clarity on all these issues but we all understand that if Armenia turns away from its allies, from its nearest partners, from neighbors, this will hardly benefit the Armenian people," the top Russian diplomat said, commenting on official Yerevan’s recent statements that Armenia would purportedly have to choose between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the EU, as well as make a decision about its place in the CSTO.