Russian Foreign Ministry: Armenia could lose its voting rights in the CSTO next week

The CSTO Collective Security Council could decide next week to suspend Armenia's voting rights in the organization. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin in an interview with TASS.

"Armenia has not paid its membership contributions for more than two years, so the issue of temporarily suspending its membership – or, more precisely, depriving it of the right to vote until the outstanding contributions are paid – could well be considered, and a decision could be taken. This is a purely technical matter provided by the organization's charter under a specific article. So this is one possible outcome, but the final decision rests with the presidents," he said.

Pankin noted that Russia currently holds the CSTO presidency and is responsible for setting the organization's agenda.

"There will be a CSTO summit, preceded by a trilateral meeting of foreign and defence ministers and secretaries of the Security Councils. The issue of Armenia may not be the most important one, but it could attract the greatest public attention, because the CSTO is about cooperation and working together to achieve common objectives," he said.

Asked whether the issue would be discussed at next week's meetings, Pankin replied: "Most likely, yes. It could be considered, but that will depend on whether all the other members agree to put it on the agenda. I believe it will be discussed."