Papikyan presents Armenia`s stance on relations with Russia and CSTO

ArmInfo. Official Yerevan is interested in maintaining high level relations with Moscow. This was  stated by RA Defense Minister Suren Papikyan during a press conference in Yerevan on January 15.

<However, when we talk about the CSTO and the events of 2020,  objective questions arise that must be answered through healthy  discussions. The depth of relations depends on this. You can't simply  jump from 2022 straight to 2025,>  the head of the Armenian defense  department noted.  At the same time, he highlighted that the Armenian  side has not annulled any bilateral cooperation document with Moscow.  <We have not even officially terminated our membership in the CSTO,  although in reality, we do not participate in the organization. It is  not our fault that the CSTO is not present in Armenia. However, I  must note that when we talk about bilateral cooperation, it should be  balanced and based on mutual respect,> Papikyan said.  In response to  the remark about whether there are prerequisites for this, the  Minister of Defense retorted that prerequisites are not one-sided and  cannot be determined through television programs. They should be  healthy.

At the same time, he acknowledged that Armenia and Russia continue to  remain strategic allies.  <Armenian-Russian relations continue, with  both Armenia and Russia remaining strategic allies. There is a  corresponding agreement on this. No one avoids this and it is  objective,> he continued. Regarding Russia's failure to fulfill  agreements on arms supplies and  Armenia's demand for the money paid  back, Papikyan referenced the Armenian Minister of Finance's  statement at a press conference. The Minister  had noted that an  agreement had been reached between the finance ministries of Armenia  and Russia to deduct this amount from the state debt.

Speaking about further cooperation with the CSTO, Papikyan reiterated  that the events that took place from 2020 to 2022 and continue,  including attacks in the information field, indicate that Armenia  must solve its problems on its own. This must be done while balancing  them with foreign policy support, international legitimacy, a  combat-ready army and a democratic country.  <Every day confirms that  as long as the partners in the Organization maintain their position,  Armenia's stance will continue to be based on this. This is derived  from the Armenia's interests, > he concluded.