The media quoted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as saying that the republic was leaving the CSTO. Is it true what he actually said, what is happening to Armenia now and why are there protests in Yerevan?
What Pashinyan said about Armenia’s withdrawal from the CSTO
On 12 June, a number of media outlets reported that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan allegedly said during the government hour in parliament that “Armenia will withdraw from the CSTO”.
As the Telegram channel Rybar notes, the Armenian politician did not make any clear statements on the terms and conditions of withdrawal. He said that the former Armenian authorities joined the “bubble alliance”, “and then it turned out that it does not protect Armenia”. In response to shouts from the audience, the prime minister said, “Let’s get out, let’s not go back in.”
Earlier, Yerevan refused to make an annual contribution to the CSTO budget and said it would “pause” membership in the bloc. According to Pashinyan, Armenia will “withdraw when it deems it necessary.”
At the same time, through his press service, Pashinyan congratulated President Putin and Prime Minister Mishustin on Russia Day and expressed hope that “co-operation between Yerevan and Moscow will develop”.
What is the situation in Armenia now, what the US said
Pashinyan’s statements were made against the background of other important political statements in the Caucasus: Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry reported that the last Russian peacekeepers had left Karabakh. At the government hour, the Armenian Prime Minister said that the text of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan is “quite mature” and its signing with the establishment of a permanent border between the republics is possible in the near future.
Also on 12 June, the United States officially offered Armenia to significantly expand cooperation in the military sphere. The statement was made by James O’Brien, the State Department’s Deputy Chief of Staff for European and Eurasian Affairs.
Washington expects new military exercises with the Armenian Armed Forces, and is also going to work with Yerevan in the sphere of cyber security, border security, food and energy security. According to the Undersecretary of State, “the people of Armenia have reaffirmed their desire for reform” and the U.S. supports these efforts.
Will Armenia join NATO
On 11 June it became known that the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Major General Artur Yeroyan participated in the meeting of the NATO Military Committee in the format of Chiefs of General Staff via video link. He confirmed the country’s intentions to participate in NATO missions. On 1 April, Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic, named the EU and the US as the main partners. He noted that the people of the republic have “European aspirations.”
“We are already co-operating with NATO, we are participating in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, we are increasing our presence in Kosovo, this is a form of co-operation. If we are talking about the intention to join NATO, then no. This issue is not on Armenia’s agenda today,” Mirzoyan said.
What are the protests on the streets of Yerevan
Meanwhile, the people of Armenia clashed with police at a rally outside the parliament in Yerevan, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported. Residents of Yerevan and other regions of Armenia gathered for the rally on the occasion of Pashinyan’s speech at the government hour on 12 June.
The security of the parliament and Prime Minister Pashinyan is provided by a large number of armed special forces fighters, and the internet is cut off in the centre of Yerevan. The Armenian Interior Ministry reported 42 detainees.
The situation in the city is turbulent. Earlier, Armenian media reported that there was a shootout in the Armenian capital at night, at least one person was killed.
Paper Kartuli reports that train traffic between Yerevan and Tbilisi has been suspended. The hotline claims there was a technical malfunction. Georgian Railway has not commented on the disruption. It is not known when the traffic will be restored.
Valentin Melikov, News.ru